(Not) Reading Kursbuch from "Materials Lab" 2015

Editor: This is "(Not) Reading Kursbuch from "Materials Lab"" by Fernanda Fragateiro. It appears to be a box containing a book, and a photograph of what looks like a deconstructed book. What strikes me is the contrast between the object and its representation. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The interplay between object and image is key. Note how the materiality of the Kursbuch—its texture, weight, and the very feel of the pages—is flattened and re-presented in the photograph. The color palette within the deconstructed book is quite intriguing. Do you see how the artist uses color to create a sense of depth and movement? Editor: Yes, the bands of color are almost like a spectrum. It’s fascinating how Fragateiro directs our gaze through these simple elements. I never considered how much a photograph changes our perception. Curator: Indeed. Fragateiro prompts us to consider the essence of reading and the transformation of information into aesthetic form. The work’s strength lies in its ability to transform a commonplace book into an object of contemplation through formal means.