Monument 1964

Editor: This is Colin Self's "Monument" from 1968, currently at the Tate. It's a striking print, all sharp angles and stark contrast. It reminds me of an architectural blueprint, yet also feels quite ominous. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Note the interplay between positive and negative space, the strategic distribution of circular motifs, and the overall symmetry which lends the piece its monumental quality. The formal elements speak to a tension between order and potential chaos. Editor: Chaos? But it seems so structured. Curator: Indeed, the structure is paramount. However, consider the isolated gear at the apex. Its function is unclear within the overall composition, disrupting the rigid order. What does that disruption suggest to you? Editor: I suppose it hints at a potential breakdown, questioning the monument’s stability. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: Precisely. By examining its formal properties, we find that the artwork transcends mere representation to evoke deeper considerations about structure and impermanence.