Savagery without form 2017

Editor: This is Joseph Dadoune's "Savagery without form" created in 2017. It’s a mixed-media sculpture, and I’m immediately struck by the tension between the rigid lines and the rough, almost volcanic texture around the edges. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The title itself offers a lens, doesn't it? Thinking historically, the term "savagery" has a fraught relationship with colonialism and the construction of the "other." How might this work be commenting on the imposed forms and structures of power, particularly in a post-colonial context? Editor: So, the "form" it lacks could be seen as resistance to imposed structures? I was focused on just the visual contrast, but that adds a whole layer. Curator: Exactly. The rigid lines, almost like bars, contained by this… untamed border. Is it a comment on attempts to contain or define something inherently wild or resistant to definition? Also, mixed media is a deliberate choice – what does that combination of materials communicate? Editor: Hmm, I’m not sure, perhaps that different media suggest an impure state or unstable position? Curator: That's insightful. In light of that, do you see Dadoune challenging our perceptions, prompting us to question established narratives? How might a contemporary audience receive a piece engaging with such historical weight? Editor: I think contemporary audiences are ready to deconstruct established meanings in ways previous generations may have struggled. It encourages more diverse interpretations. Curator: I agree. Thinking about the "public role of art," Dadoune seems to be urging us to confront uncomfortable histories and question the "politics of imagery". A visually stark piece becomes a starting point for critical engagement. Editor: This has totally changed how I see the piece. I was caught up in the aesthetics, but the historical and social implications are much more powerful than I initially realised. Curator: And hopefully highlights the critical importance of historical context. Visual appeal can be the gateway, but understanding the socio-political currents unlocks deeper meaning.