Wasabi Plate (Head on Plate 1) 2012

Curator: Arlene Shechet's "Wasabi Plate (Head on Plate 1)" really messes with my mind—it's deceptively simple. Editor: Simple, yes. And also a bit gross, if I'm honest. A shiny white plate, but with this… blob? What material are we looking at here? Curator: Well, Shechet often blends porcelain with other materials. In this piece, the contrast of the smooth, manufactured ceramic with what appears to be unrefined clay is intentional. Editor: So it's about juxtaposing the pristine with the base, the refined with the raw? It highlights the labor involved, framing it as a bizarre ready-made. Curator: Exactly! It’s thought-provoking how the artist turns everyday objects on their head, prompting us to reconsider our relationship with materials and what we consider art. Editor: I see your point; there’s a certain tension created in the stark simplicity. It is about more than just a plate and blob of clay. Curator: Indeed. It leaves you wondering about the story behind the plate and the potential narrative of the head. Editor: I am now curious to think about the history of plates, from utilitarian objects to precious collectibles, a journey mirroring our own.