Untitled (Honolulu) 1977

Curator: Bill Dane's "Untitled (Honolulu)" presents a striking black and white image, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: I am immediately struck by the raw, almost theatrical feel. The figure seems caught in a moment of vulnerability. Curator: Indeed. The composition is layered, with the constructed set visible through what seems to be a window frame, creating a sense of artifice. The formal geometry imposed upon the figures. Editor: The materiality really stands out, though. The rough, almost slapdash construction of the backdrop contrasts with the figure's emotional exposure. It feels incredibly handmade. Curator: And what of the interplay between the flat, painted figures and the embodied subject? It forms a commentary on representation. Editor: Yes, there is an intriguing tension between the illusion of the backdrop and the palpable reality of the person. It exposes the labor involved in constructing these fabricated experiences. Curator: A profound consideration, indeed. I feel as though my focus upon the structure has widened to also see the material choices. Editor: And likewise, I’ve been able to appreciate the underlying formal tension you highlight.