Turn Around 1963 - 1964

Editor: This mixed media construction, “Turn Around” by Peter Lanyon, is quite intriguing. It has a playful quality, almost like a child's diorama, yet there's a sophisticated tension in the arrangement of shapes. What social narratives do you see at play here? Curator: Considering Lanyon's context, living through post-war Britain, the work can be read as a response to societal shifts and the dismantling of rigid structures. The fragmented forms and contrasting textures could represent the breaking down of traditional class structures and the emergence of new social identities. How does the title "Turn Around" affect your perception? Editor: It makes me think about perspective, and challenging established views. Is this connected to Lanyon's interest in flight and seeing the world from above? Curator: Precisely! His engagement with aerial perspective, gained from his gliding experiences, links to broader discourses around power and surveillance. Who gets to look, and from what position? It shifts our understanding. Editor: I see it now. It’s about questioning the dominant viewpoint and recognizing marginalized perspectives. Curator: Exactly. Art can be a powerful tool for social change.