4 of 7 etchings in Porfolio: White Mammals 1998

Editor: This is Kiki Smith's "4 of 7 etchings in Portfolio: White Mammals," an etching printed on paper. The hanging animal almost seems trapped, suspended in this stark white space. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The process here is key. Etching, a labor-intensive printmaking technique, allows for mass production yet retains a handmade quality. Smith challenges the traditional hierarchy of art by elevating animal representation and questioning the means of its creation and dissemination. What does the "white" in the title suggest to you, considering the social context? Editor: I guess "white" speaks to the paper material itself, perhaps hinting at purity or a blank slate, or even the absence of color, maybe even the idea of the animal as "other." It's so interesting how materiality shapes meaning here. Curator: Exactly. The artist's hand, the production process, and even the title itself all contribute to the social and material construction of this artwork's meaning.