Wandering about in the future, looking forward to the past 1994

Curator: Cathy de Monchaux's large-scale wall-mounted artwork "Wandering about in the future, looking forward to the past" presents a fascinating interplay of materials and construction. The dimensions are impressive, displayed at 3670 x 8000 x 80 mm. Editor: Visually, I find it quite striking—a triptych almost, with a central spine flanked by what look like gridded screens. There's a sense of both constraint and ornate detail that's captivating. Curator: Indeed, the juxtaposition is key. Note the industrial feel of the metal framework against the softer, almost vulnerable planes it supports. The process involves bending, joining, tensioning—a real push and pull of forces. Editor: The metalwork itself, especially in the central element, evokes religious iconography for me—perhaps a stylized tree of life, or even abstracted crosses. It brings to mind ritualistic objects. Curator: It's interesting you say that. De Monchaux often challenges traditional notions of craft by incorporating materials associated with both high art and more functional practices. The repetitive framework suggests mass production. Editor: Yet the symmetry also implies a higher order, a sense of encoded meaning. The black strands dangling from the grid—they feel like a visual echo of mourning or perhaps a physical manifestation of lingering sorrow. Curator: Perhaps the tension in the piece arises from that very discord: the cold precision of manufacturing versus the evocation of deep emotion. Editor: Ultimately, it’s a piece that stays with you, prompting contemplation long after you’ve left its presence. Curator: A fitting testament to De Monchaux's ability to provoke thought about the relationship between making and meaning.