Acrobats 1917

Curator: Here we see Mark Gertler’s sculpture "Acrobats," currently residing in the Tate Collections. It’s a compact piece, less than 60 cm tall. Editor: It’s immediately striking how the dark material emphasizes the strain and tension in the acrobats’ bodies. You can almost feel the weight. Curator: Gertler, working in the early 20th century, often explored themes of labor and social dynamics. This piece could be seen as a commentary on the demanding nature of performance and the reliance these figures have on one another. Editor: Absolutely. The sleekness of the bronze, though beautiful, almost dehumanizes them. It highlights the repetitive, almost machine-like aspect of their movements. I wonder how the piece was cast? Curator: The repetitive motion you mention perhaps mirrors the increasing industrialization of the time. The acrobats, reduced to almost anonymous forms, echo the worker in a factory, performing a set task. Editor: I see that connection. Considering the physical labor involved in creating bronze sculpture, it adds another layer to the idea of labor and artistic production. Curator: Indeed. It's a fascinating interplay of the physical and the representational. Editor: I’ll certainly be thinking more about the process of creation after this.