City 1980 - 2007

Curator: León Ferrari’s City, held in the Tate Collections, presents a compelling exploration of urban space. My immediate reaction is one of claustrophobia; the density is overwhelming. Editor: Indeed, the repetitive nature of the marks suggests a mechanized process, a certain dehumanization in the built environment. Look closely at the material reality, it appears to be ink on paper. Curator: The monochromatic palette and fine linework create a kind of oppressive visual order. It evokes a sense of control, even surveillance, through its intricate grid structure. Editor: The scale is crucial, too. At roughly 1000 by 1000 millimeters, it implicates the viewer, drawing us into this manufactured reality, and inviting reflection on labor. Curator: I see it more as an abstract representation of power structures. The geometric forms and maze-like configuration suggest an inescapable system of control. Editor: Perhaps both. The act of creation here, the repetitive mark-making, mirrors the often-alienating experience of labor within such systems. Curator: Ultimately, its power resides in its formal ambiguity. The precise execution belies the unsettling emotional impact. Editor: It's a chilling piece, indeed, prompting a deeper consideration of how we shape and are shaped by our environments.