74V41 Possibly 1973 - 1993

Here we see John Divola’s photographic work, 74V41. It presents a stark interior, where the eye is drawn to a crude, cone-shaped form affixed to the wall, set against a backdrop of decay and defacement. Consider the cone – its shape, a universal symbol. Across cultures, the cone evokes ideas from sacred mountains to the conical hats of shamans. In Divola’s composition, this seemingly simple shape is transformed in meaning, and feels sinister, drawing power from the visual remnants of human presence and neglect. The juxtaposition of light and shadow, rendered in monochrome, amplifies the psychological weight of the scene. The dripping paint and mottled surfaces around the cone add to the sense of unease, calling to mind the impermanence of structures and human control. This recalls the cyclical nature of destruction and rebirth, a theme resonant in art across the ages. Divola’s photograph captures this interplay, inviting us to confront the fragile boundaries between creation and decay.