Untitled 2018

Editor: Here we have Alevtyna Kakhidze’s “Untitled” drawing from 2018. It appears to be pen and ink on paper, featuring two portraits. I find the juxtaposition of the dog and the human portrait really striking, especially the dog's accompanying text. What do you make of this work? Curator: The drawing offers an intriguing commentary on artistic production and social discourse through its very materials and construction. Look at the simplicity of the line, the stark contrast of ink on paper; it’s immediate, reproducible, almost like a political flyer. It challenges the preciousness often associated with "fine art", collapsing the distance between creation and dissemination. Consider the ‘White Shepherds Party’ text alongside the image of the dog; isn’t that a critique of political movements, using readily available materials for potentially subversive messaging? How does that read to you? Editor: I see your point. It feels deliberately low-fi, suggesting accessibility. The directness of the materials reflects the directness of the message, or perhaps multiple messages? Do you think Kakhidze is commenting on the commodification of art itself through these accessible choices? Curator: Precisely. The materials, the pen and ink, the paper itself – are all easily sourced, relatively inexpensive. It prompts a questioning of value. What dictates worth? Is it the skill of the artist, the scarcity of the materials, or perhaps the cultural capital associated with art institutions? What labor went into this piece, and who benefits from its circulation? Editor: So, it’s not just about what's depicted, but how it's made and how it circulates in society. Curator: Absolutely. Kakhidze uses these accessible materials to open a dialogue about production, consumption, and the very definition of art within a broader social and political context. Editor: I see it now. Thank you for illuminating that for me! I initially only focused on the images, but considering the materials has completely changed my perception. Curator: Indeed. Paying attention to these details grants us valuable insights into the artist's intent and how the work engages with the world around it.