Written Activity No. 7

Curator: Here we have Jack Smith's, "Written Activity No. 7" from the Tate Collections. It's a large square painting, over 150 cm by 150 cm. Editor: My first thought? It looks like an alien script, all faded colours, and a soft, watery background... almost like a dream you're struggling to recall. Curator: Smith, active in New York’s underground art scene, frequently used his work to critique societal norms, particularly regarding consumerism and sexual repression. This piece can be interpreted through the lens of coded language. Editor: Coded language… I love that! It makes me think about secrets, hidden desires. It feels so intimate, like peeking at someone's diary. What was he trying to keep hidden, or reveal? Curator: Considering Smith's engagement with queer identity and his critiques of McCarthyism, the "writing" could represent a form of resistance, a way to communicate outside the constraints of dominant discourse. Editor: It's a little bit sad, though, right? Knowing that he felt the need to create in code. But then again, isn't all art a kind of secret language? Curator: Perhaps, and it allows us a means to interpret his experiences, and reflect on the continued need for spaces of radical expression. Editor: Absolutely. It makes me wonder what new languages we might need to invent to speak our truths today.