Ninefold 1997

Curator: Here we have Norman Dilworth's sculpture, "Ninefold," currently residing in the Tate Collections. It's a striking piece, standing at nearly 60 centimeters, constructed from what appears to be painted wood. Editor: It looks like a gothic totem pole, doesn't it? So dark and mysterious, almost foreboding. Curator: Indeed. The geometric forms could symbolize growth or even societal structures, with each shape building upon the one below it. The number nine is also potent in many cultures representing completion or attainment. Editor: I see that, but there's also something unsettling about the sharp angles and the lack of curves. It feels like a warning, a dark future. Curator: The artist might be suggesting that progress isn't always smooth, that there are sharp edges and potential pitfalls along the way. Editor: Well, whatever it is, it's a conversation starter. I’m still trying to decide if it's beautiful or terrifying. Curator: Exactly. And that tension is precisely what makes Dilworth's "Ninefold" so compelling.