Locus #2 1972 - 1975

Editor: Here we have Dorothea Rockburne's "Locus #2," a paper construction piece at the Harvard Art Museums. It's so simple, almost like origami, but the folds create such depth. What visual cues speak to you in this work? Curator: It’s fascinating how Rockburne uses the inherent qualities of paper—its capacity to fold, crease, and cast subtle shadows—to evoke a sense of place, wouldn’t you agree? Do you see how the geometry echoes cartography, recalling maps and architectural plans? Editor: Yes, that's a great observation! It feels almost like a deconstructed blueprint. Curator: Exactly. The folds act as symbolic boundaries, marking territories both real and imagined. Rockburne is drawing upon our collective understanding of spatial representation. I wonder, what feelings does this evocation conjure for you? Editor: It makes me think about how we define space and boundaries. That’s a lot to consider. Curator: Indeed. Rockburne encourages us to contemplate the symbolic power of seemingly simple forms.