[no title] 1972

Editor: This small, untitled work by Ian Tyson in the Tate collection presents what looks like musical notation. The stark black and white creates a very graphic feel. What do you make of this, especially considering his other works? Curator: The focus here shifts to the very act of reproduction and the materials themselves. Consider the labor involved in creating this seemingly simple print. Are we meant to think about mass production versus individual creation? What commentary might Tyson be making on the accessibility, or lack thereof, within artistic and musical expression? Editor: That's fascinating. So you see the material and production process as central to its meaning? Curator: Absolutely. It prompts us to consider the social and economic contexts that shape both the creation and consumption of art. Editor: I'm beginning to see so many other layers in this seemingly simple piece.