406 1975

Curator: Ah, this is "406" by Funasaka Yoshisuke, a print created in 1975. Editor: My first impression? It's like a little secret code, something playful yet ordered. I am intrigued by the watercolor stains and subtle splatters of ink, they convey depth while simultaneously grounding the piece in the immediate. Curator: You've nailed its inherent dichotomy! Funasaka masterfully juxtaposes geometric forms with loose linework, almost like controlled chaos. Looking at the materials—the ink, the paper, and the printmaking process—what are your thoughts on Funasaka's intentions? Editor: I think he’s wrestling with modernism and tradition simultaneously. See how the printmaking process enables him to mass-produce, to democratize his vision, and make it reproducible; while he intentionally keeps elements that celebrate manual craft like visible pen strokes, and uncontrolled spreading inks. To me, it's a conversation about value, about making "high art" accessible, while not losing touch with its material origins. It raises a question—who decides what's valuable? Curator: Precisely. The visible layers, those slightly misaligned colours and sketchy shapes…it’s like seeing the artist's thought process laid bare. I almost sense the influence of Japanese calligraphy with those brushstrokes. And even a touch of humor. Is it just me? I see this grid and feel there is an impulse to find familiarity in it! Editor: Oh absolutely, the playfulness feels intentional. And there is definitely humor at play! This all comes to life as a visual dance between control and serendipity, it makes me ponder how artistic vision gets processed, and then transformed into tangible art. Curator: It does invite us to consider our role as viewers. We bring our own 'code breaking' abilities when reading these playful images. Thanks for walking with me through this! Editor: Thank you. Seeing it from this angle truly shifts one’s appreciation. Materiality unveils the labor, and through labor comes accessibility, which ultimately shapes meaning. It's art for all!