A Rede 2019

Editor: So this charcoal drawing, titled "A Rede" by Thiago Boecan, created in 2019...it's unsettling, to be honest. The figures are contorted and piled on top of each other. It’s such a dark and heavy image. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, from a historical perspective, I think it speaks to the weight of societal structures on the individual. Do you notice how the figures at the bottom seem almost crushed? It’s as if they’re bearing an immense burden. Consider the context of 2019 – growing global anxieties, political polarization. Could this image be interpreted as a commentary on the pressure people were experiencing, and continue to experience? Editor: That’s interesting. I was just thinking about individual suffering, but framing it as a broader social commentary makes a lot of sense. The "net," "A Rede," isn't just an accident of bodies but perhaps a symbolic trap. Curator: Precisely. And consider the use of charcoal. Why do you think Boecan chose that medium? It’s not just about ease or cost; charcoal can create a sense of rawness, of something unfinished or even decaying. This adds to the emotional impact of the work, lending to the feelings of strain and entrapment, especially given that institutions have historically preferred artwork that feels clean or precious. How might the artwork speak to or against this dynamic? Editor: That makes the message even stronger. The choice of charcoal underscores this raw feeling you mentioned. It is as if the social structures they carry aren’t something precious, but crude. I had never thought about the medium being such a key component in reinforcing meaning, especially from an institutional perspective. Curator: Exactly! And it's something many viewers may initially overlook. So, thinking about "A Rede," what have you learned about art's role within culture? Editor: I've learned it goes beyond aesthetics! "A Rede" reflects collective anxieties and pushes boundaries within artistic spaces. I need to look beyond the initial impression to see these works more broadly. Curator: Absolutely! Keep that curiosity and you'll keep making discoveries!