[no title] 1976 - 1977

Editor: This intriguing print by Joe Tilson features a ladder of words alongside juxtaposed imagery. The ladder presents a series of words in all caps, such as "FIRE," "SPRING," and "EROS." What do you see in the composition and arrangement of these elements? Curator: I note the structural framework, the grid imposing order upon seemingly disparate images and text. The ladder functions as a visual spine, while the textual fragments, rendered with a distinct graphic quality, serve as both signifiers and abstract forms. Observe how Tilson plays with the relationship between linguistic and visual representation. Editor: That’s a great point about the structural framework. How does this interplay between text and image affect your understanding? Curator: The semiotic density compels one to decode potential meanings. Are we presented with a personal mythology, a system of symbolic associations? The visual textures, achieved through the printing process, contribute to the artwork’s overall materiality and tactile presence. Is this about language or texture? Editor: I had not considered texture as much. Thank you for guiding me through Tilson's use of form and structure. Curator: A formalist approach highlights the intrinsic qualities and invites interpretations through its very construction.