Film Star 1960

Curator: John Latham's "Film Star," residing here at the Tate, explodes off its base with a compelling energy. The dimensions are substantial, roughly 1600 by 1981 by 228 millimeters. What is your first reaction? Editor: It feels violent, almost like something has been torn apart and reassembled, but not quite healed. The red is startling. Curator: The materiality is crucial. Latham often incorporated books and other found objects in his work. Note the layered pages, disrupted by the aggressive application of paint. It's a commentary on the destruction and reconstruction of knowledge. Editor: I see a critique of celebrity culture, perhaps? The "Film Star" title coupled with this deconstruction—it speaks to the fleeting, often destructive nature of fame and its impact on the individual. Curator: Perhaps. Latham was deeply interested in challenging conventional systems of knowledge. The work's composition is a visual assault, rejecting traditional harmony for a more chaotic arrangement. Editor: Right. But this chaos communicates the fragmented experience of modern life, the constant bombardment of information that shapes and often distorts our perceptions of ourselves and others. Curator: A powerful interpretation. Latham pushes us to question the very foundations upon which we build our understanding of the world. Editor: Absolutely. It’s a stark reminder of the narratives we consume and their potential to both liberate and oppress.