Mori yo! (Hey, Forest!) 2006

Curator: Let's turn our attention to Noriko Saito's "Mori yo!," which translates to "Hey, Forest!" It's a rather striking intaglio print. Editor: It feels a bit like looking into a deep well, or maybe a theatrical mask. The stark contrast between the black and white is quite dramatic. What materials did Saito use? Curator: The artwork’s listing specifies paper, ink, and the intaglio technique, which involves etching lines into a metal plate. Then, the ink is applied and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Editor: It makes me think about the labor involved, carefully scoring the plate to create this somber space. There's something almost industrial about the precision of the lines alongside the organic feel of the forest it is referencing. Curator: It’s a compelling juxtaposition, isn't it? Saito often explores themes of nature and humanity's relationship to it, and I think this piece captures a sense of reverence, tinged with perhaps a bit of anxiety. Editor: Absolutely. It's a testament to how the most basic materials can convey such depth. And it makes you wonder about the environmental cost of those materials.