The Seasons (Fall) [6th state] 1987

Editor: Here we have Jasper Johns's "The Seasons (Fall) [6th state]," a mixed-media etching from 1987. It’s primarily in grayscale, with a real emphasis on texture. What strikes me most is the… almost cluttered feel of it. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see an exploration of artistic production itself. Consider the 'state' designation – the 6th state. It tells us that this image is one of many iterations. How does the notion of reproduction and the 'hand-made' come into play when looking at the history of printmaking? Think about Johns’ deliberate use of mixed media here, he isn’t just painting; he's layering materials and techniques. How might this speak to the labor involved? Editor: That’s fascinating! I hadn't considered the implications of “state” in that light, or the variety of mark-making involved. Does the fact that it’s a print challenge notions of originality in some way? Curator: Exactly! It disrupts this sense of singular artistic genius. He seems interested in the industrialization of art, raising questions about what constitutes authentic creation when we're dealing with multiples and reproductions. Does it make it more valuable, or less so? Who consumes such works, and how does that reflect on their role in society? Editor: So, it’s less about *what* is depicted, and more about the process of depiction and how that reflects material conditions and power dynamics? Curator: Precisely. The work becomes a commentary on the commodification of art, questioning the traditional hierarchy of art versus craft and forcing us to examine the very means of artistic production and its place in the wider world. How does his selection of materials reflect this sentiment? Editor: That's given me a whole new framework for appreciating Johns's prints! Thank you. Curator: And for me too; thinking through your questions clarified how the seemingly abstract also conveys a very specific commentary on production and consumption.