2. PNEUmatics 1968

Editor: So, this is Peter Phillips' "2. PNEUmatics." It’s hard to pin down a date, but the materials give it a distinct feel. What strikes me is the sheer density of imagery and the bold use of industrial motifs. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a commentary on mass production and consumption through the lens of Pop Art. Phillips appropriates and juxtaposes images of car parts, tyres, and geometric shapes, highlighting the materiality of everyday objects and their role in a consumerist society. What's the social context of mass manufacturing here? Editor: Do you think the geometric forms are meant to critique or celebrate the standardization inherent in industrial production? Curator: Perhaps both. By elevating these mundane objects and processes to the realm of art, Phillips forces us to confront our relationship with the products of labor and the systems that produce them. This really makes you think about how our society values things. Editor: Absolutely, I never considered how much the process is part of the message.