Cumulus 1998

Curator: This is Tony Cragg's "Cumulus," part of the Tate Collections. It's a large sculpture, nearly three meters tall, constructed from glass and a multitude of white, cast glass vessels. Editor: My first impression is a sense of ethereal fragility, like a frozen waterfall. The monochrome palette adds to that feeling of something otherworldly. Curator: Cragg often explores the relationship between objects and the human form, and I think here we see a commentary on consumerism and the mass production of everyday items. Editor: Absolutely. The repetition of these familiar shapes, all rendered in this ghostly white, strips them of their individuality and speaks to the homogenizing effects of consumer culture. What do you think of the title? Curator: "Cumulus," a cloud formation. It evokes a sense of lightness and ephemerality, which is ironic considering the weight of the glass, and perhaps even hints at the environmental impact of mass production. Editor: It's a fascinating juxtaposition. The title pulls us towards the sky, while the form roots us firmly in the world of manufactured objects. I feel it's a powerful statement about our complex relationship with the material world.