Proscinemi, Dodona, Oracle of Zeus 1978

Editor: This mixed media piece, "Proscinemi, Dodona, Oracle of Zeus" by Joe Tilson, incorporates text, images, and botanical drawings. The overall effect is fragmented and layered, almost like an archaeological record. What do you see in this work? Curator: The layering speaks to a palimpsest of cultural memory. Tilson invokes Dodona, the ancient Greek oracle, not just visually but through its linguistic echoes. The hand pressed against stone carries the weight of supplication, a physical connection to the divine. How does that physicality resonate with you? Editor: It makes me think of ritual, of touching sacred ground. The oak leaves also hint at the sacred groves associated with Zeus's oracle. So, it's about connecting to something ancient and powerful? Curator: Precisely. Tilson uses visual symbols to bridge the gap between the present and the distant past, reminding us that cultural memory persists, shaping our perceptions. The botanical drawings, the text fragments, and the photographic elements work together to build a sense of time and place. Editor: It’s fascinating how the fragments create a sense of wholeness. Thanks for illuminating these cultural echoes.