Fith Ave in Gold 2010

Editor: Here we have Pietropoli Patrick’s "Fifth Ave in Gold," created in 2010, an acrylic painting evoking an urban cityscape. I find the gold leaf sky juxtaposed with the gray tones of the buildings creates an almost dreamlike and alienating mood. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It's striking how Patrick uses gold – a material historically associated with wealth and power – to depict the backdrop of a hyper-capitalist space. The gold flattens the sky, almost negating any sense of depth, which brings the urban architectural forms into greater relief. I think it's significant that we have a somewhat depopulated, monumental image. What kind of commentary might Patrick be making on power structures through the contrast between the impersonal nature of urban architecture, a potent symbol of capitalism, and its inhabitants? Editor: That's a fascinating angle. It also brings to mind issues of class. Do you see a statement being made by presenting an affluent location like Fifth Avenue through such a detached lens? Curator: Absolutely. There is no real evidence of the city’s occupants. Where do we see the indicators of life? Of family? Or connection? This absence serves as a kind of social commentary. Who benefits from these urban landscapes? Do we think the gold background highlights or critiques this power? Editor: It really highlights how certain people can afford to exist, even thrive, in such expensive real estate, versus those excluded from the space. Curator: Precisely. What started as what may appear to be merely beautiful architectural depictions turns into a meditation on privilege and societal disparities when we apply that cultural context. I now wonder about urban planning itself. Editor: Exactly. I’ll never look at another city skyline in quite the same way. Thanks for this enriching exchange.