A.O.N.B. (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) 1982 - 1984

Editor: Here we have Keith Arnatt's photograph, A.O.N.B. The image is black and white, depicting two cars in what seems to be a rural landscape. The title, "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty," feels ironic given the presence of the vehicles. What do you make of this juxtaposition? Curator: It's a pointed commentary on our relationship with the environment. Arnatt is inviting us to consider how these designated "Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty" are inevitably shaped by human presence, particularly through symbols of consumption and mobility like cars. How does the image challenge romantic notions of untouched nature? Editor: It certainly does. The cars almost feel like an intrusion, highlighting the tension between our desire for pristine landscapes and our impact on them. I hadn't considered the critique of consumer culture so directly. Curator: Exactly. And thinking about the time it was created, what do you think Arnatt was really trying to say about progress and preservation? Editor: That’s a great point. Perhaps he was prompting a necessary conversation about balancing these two ideals. Thanks, I see it differently now. Curator: It’s about recognizing our role and responsibility in shaping the natural world.