A.O.N.B. (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) 1982 - 1984

Curator: Keith Arnatt's photograph, "A.O.N.B. (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty)," presents us with a scene that feels immediately melancholic. Editor: Yes, a subtle decay is evident. The wire mesh in the foreground disrupts any sense of idyllic nature, and the fence suggests an exclusion, a boundary imposed on what should be open and accessible. Curator: The title itself is profoundly ironic. The letters stand for "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" in Britain, and there's a stark contrast between that expectation and the scene Arnatt depicts. Fences, weeds, and discarded objects... Editor: It speaks to the commodification of nature, how even designated beauty spots are subject to human intervention and control, and it challenges our romanticized notions of the pastoral landscape. Curator: Indeed. Arnatt's choice of black and white adds to the sense of detachment, stripping away the vibrancy one might expect from a "beautiful" scene, instead offering a commentary on the constructed nature of such labels. Editor: For me, the image raises questions about who defines beauty and for whose benefit. Is it truly for everyone, or is there a selective vision at play? Curator: A thought-provoking reflection on the intersection of nature, culture, and control. Editor: Precisely, Arnatt confronts us with an uncomfortable truth about our relationship with the environment.