X 1976 - 1977

Editor: Ian Tyson's "X" is a fascinating composition. The juxtaposition of these ordered lines with the words "fragile," "amorphous," it is a bit disorienting. How do you see the materials and the making of this piece contributing to its meaning? Curator: The stark contrast, and the text, really brings to the forefront the labor involved in its creation. Consider the tension between the industrial feel of the lines and the hand-applied text. What does that imply about artistic production at the time? Editor: That's a great question. It makes me think about the artist negotiating between mass production and individual expression, so cleverly! Curator: Exactly. The piece then becomes a commentary on the artist's role in a consumerist society and the challenges of artistic authenticity. Editor: I never thought of it that way. Thanks for the insight. Curator: Of course. It’s all about understanding art as a product of its material and social conditions.