Cock Plate (Head on a Plate 8) 2012

Editor: Here we have Arlene Shechet's "Cock Plate (Head on a Plate 8)." It's a small ceramic piece, and I find the title really clashes with the delicate, almost melancholic feel of the work. What do you make of the piece? Curator: The title is intentionally provocative. Shechet’s work often critiques the traditional presentation of ceramics, particularly within museum contexts. Consider how the "domestic" plate subverts traditional sculpture. Does the title also challenge conventional notions of beauty? Editor: That's a great point. It makes me think about how art institutions themselves shape our expectations and understanding of art. I hadn't considered the plate as a domestic object. Curator: Exactly. And the "mistake" of the green pigment creates another kind of beauty, or lack of it. What can happen when we move beyond functionality in art, and accept disruption in the art world? Editor: I guess I was too caught up in the shock of the title to appreciate the layered commentary. Now I am thinking a lot more about the traditional role of ceramics. Curator: Yes. It is all about the institutions and how they can shape art.