RIP - II 1968

Curator: This is Michael Rothenstein's "RIP - II," a compelling print in the Tate collection. I’m struck by its mechanical, almost industrial aesthetic. Editor: Yes, it does have a somewhat sterile, cold feel to it, like looking at the inside of a broken machine. But there's a certain beauty in the arrangement of the various parts. Curator: Absolutely. Rothenstein's printmaking process here, likely a combination of woodcut and other relief techniques, is key. He's not just depicting machinery; he's engaging with the labor involved in its production and the materials themselves. Editor: It feels like a visual poem about the intersection of nature and technology. The blue wash reminds me of flowing water, while the sharp edges of the gear suggest precision. Curator: I agree. Rothenstein was deeply interested in the social contexts of art production. This piece may well be his comment on the machine age encroaching upon a more organic era. Editor: It makes you wonder what he was thinking when he put these disparate elements together. A gear, a clamp, a drill bit and wood grain all coexisting. Very odd, and thought-provoking. Curator: Indeed, a fusion of process and concept. The physical making reflects Rothenstein's message about progress. Editor: Ultimately, it is the enigmatic quality that I enjoy, not everything has to make sense!