Kiss of the Golden Mean II 

Curator: Let’s consider “Kiss of the Golden Mean II”, a photograph by Scott Fraser. Visually, it presents a shower of Hershey's Kisses against a stark black backdrop. What's your immediate impression? Editor: Well, it's playful at first glance, almost whimsical. But then I wonder, why photograph Hershey’s Kisses this way? Is there something more to it than just the fun aesthetic? Curator: Exactly. The choice of material, these mass-produced chocolates, is critical. We're dealing with a readily available commodity, its production fueled by labor, global trade, and consumption patterns. Does this change your view of the playful aesthetic? Editor: It does. It makes me think about the accessibility of art versus the commodification of pleasure. These chocolates are symbols, not just of sweetness, but of a vast industrial network. So how does the title, “Kiss of the Golden Mean,” connect to all of this? Curator: That's where the artist brings in the concept of balance and harmony, almost ironically. The "Golden Mean" implies an ideal proportion, while the subject matter highlights mass production and potentially overconsumption. Consider the contrast: are the ‘kisses’ a symbol of abundance or excess? Does their presentation alter their initial context? Editor: So it’s a tension between artistic ideals and material realities, captured through a very familiar, almost banal object. I see how thinking about the materials really changes the conversation around it. Curator: Precisely. And questioning that conversation, those tensions, is key. Seeing beyond the surface is always a sweet victory. Editor: Definitely something to chew on.