Au Cirque 1939

Editor: This is Michael Ayrton's "Au Cirque," an undated print in the Tate collection. It depicts two figures in a close embrace, but there's a strange melancholic air about them. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a commentary on the performative nature of identity and relationships, particularly within the historical context of the circus as a space of spectacle and exploitation. Do you think Ayrton is engaging with the social dynamics of power here? Editor: I hadn't considered that. It does seem like a strained intimacy. Curator: The figures' stylized features and close proximity evoke a sense of artifice, perhaps mirroring societal expectations and the commodification of marginalized bodies. What could the title mean in this context? Editor: It makes me think about the unseen struggles beneath the surface of entertainment. Curator: Exactly. Ayrton compels us to confront the uncomfortable realities behind the facade. Editor: It's unsettling, but it also encourages a deeper analysis. Curator: Precisely, and that’s the power of art as social commentary.