To Rule the World 1985

Curator: The scale of Jedd Garet’s “To Rule the World” is immediately striking, standing at over 3 meters tall, currently residing in the Tate Collections. The figure seems to plunge into the vortex below. What does that image evoke for you? Editor: There's a real sense of disorientation. That spiraling void is mesmerizing, almost hypnotic. The twisted figure, segmented against these stark backgrounds, feels like a symbol of fractured power, perhaps commenting on the pitfalls of ambition. Curator: I agree. Given the socio-political context of the late 20th century, Garet’s work resonates with anxieties surrounding power structures. The abstract form could be interpreted as a critique of those who strive for dominance, losing themselves in the process. Editor: Absolutely. And the swirling vortex? A visual metaphor for the chaos and instability that often accompanies the pursuit of control, recalling similar motifs of descent in mythology. Curator: Considering the artist's practice, this symbolism aligns with his broader exploration of alienation and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. Editor: It's an image that makes me consider the cost of aspiration, how easily one can be consumed by the very forces they seek to control. Curator: I'll be thinking about that image of fractured power for a while. Editor: As will I. Garet certainly leaves us with much to ponder.