Untitled (Portfolio of Twelve Prints) 1991

Curator: Richard Prince's "Untitled (Portfolio of Twelve Prints)" presents a stark image: a white skull wearing a Playboy bunny logo, centered on a black background. The portfolio is housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. What's your initial take? Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the graphic simplicity, the sharp contrast. The skull's stark white against the oppressive black creates a rather morbid yet elegant composition. Curator: Considering Prince's body of work, and his appropriation of imagery, this piece speaks to the commodification of sexuality and the inevitable decay of beauty standards perpetuated by brands like Playboy. Editor: Yes, the semiotic clash is fascinating. The Playboy bunny, a symbol of playful sexuality, merged with the ultimate symbol of mortality. It's a powerful visual oxymoron. Curator: It forces us to confront the fleeting nature of desire and the darker undercurrents of consumer culture. Editor: A potent reminder of art's capacity to dissect and critique societal norms. Curator: Indeed, Prince invites a deeper interrogation of the images that shape our perceptions. Editor: A study in contrasts, both visually and conceptually.