Top Gun 1994

Curator: Fiona Banner’s large-scale work, “Top Gun,” presents us with an intriguing, albeit dense, landscape. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: It's almost overwhelming. The sheer expanse of text creates this uniform surface, yet I'm drawn to the subtle variations in tone and texture, like a woven tapestry. Curator: Banner’s piece is, in fact, a transcription of the entire film "Top Gun." This challenges the spectacle of Hollywood action cinema, presenting it instead as a textual monolith. Editor: So, the action is flattened into language. I see how this shifts the focus from visual thrills to the structure and narrative of the film itself. The monochrome palette certainly emphasizes this. Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to consider the cultural impact of seemingly straightforward entertainment. Banner's work asks if the film, and films like it, contribute to a militaristic mindset. Editor: It’s a powerful statement when you consider the dimensions. The sheer scale of it suggests something monumental, like a historical document or a grand ideological statement, yet it’s just a movie script. Curator: A very contemporary commentary on media and its role in shaping perceptions. Editor: Indeed. There's a potent tension between the mundane subject matter and the almost sacred presentation. Curator: The piece certainly grants a new appreciation for the socio-political reach of pop culture. Editor: And I find myself appreciating the sheer visual weight of words when they accumulate like this, stripping away any need for special effects to achieve impact.