Chokito 2006

Curator: Okay, let's delve into Beatriz Milhazes' "Chokito" from 2006, a mixed-media collage. I'm struck by its vibrant energy; it practically vibrates off the surface! What strikes you about this artwork? Editor: It's definitely busy! There's so much going on. All these circles and patterns layered on top of each other... It feels like an explosion of color and shape. I am curious about how this collage technique and selection of materials affects our understanding of it. Curator: Exactly! Let's focus on those materials. What are we looking at here? Is this simply paint, or something more complex? It appears Milhazes is incorporating everyday materials. Think about the context of collage – historically associated with the readymade and a disruption of traditional painting. How does her selection of elements shift the perception of “high art”? Editor: I see! There are segments featuring the repetitive pattern of the "Chokito" candy wrapper itself; is this commenting on consumerism and popular culture by including it in the artistic process itself? Curator: Precisely. By embedding remnants of popular culture directly into the work, she's blurring those lines, creating a dialogue between consumption, labor, and artmaking. This isn't just about depicting something; it's about physically incorporating its materiality, and its production into the artwork, transforming its meaning. It invites us to question those ingrained assumptions about value, labor and aesthetics. What assumptions does it question, in your mind? Editor: The idea of using "low-brow" commercial packaging instead of "fine art" materials, but elevates these everyday objects by manipulating and placing them meticulously, perhaps encouraging us to examine value critically, which can come from unconventional sources or through skilled handcraft. Curator: That’s insightful. The 'how' is crucial. So much information to unpack. How has this changed your initial impression of the piece? Editor: Initially, I saw chaotic layers but focusing on the materials makes me think about consumer culture and how it affects our understanding of art's value and material contexts. Curator: And that connection – from chaos to critical reflection – is exactly what makes Materialist study of this collage so enriching!