[no title] 1975 - 1976

Curator: This intriguing photographic work is by Pierre Alechinsky, currently residing in the Tate Collections. It captures a sequence of hands at work. The image size is roughly 691 x 510 millimeters. Editor: It projects a feeling of intense concentration. The grid format makes me think of a scientific study, but the organic shapes being etched suggest something more primal. Curator: Absolutely, there’s a real tension between the handcraft and the photographic reproduction. The focus on the hands elevates the act of making. It's not just about the end result, but also about the physical labor. Editor: The hands are almost performing a ritual, guided by instinct and memory. Each image seems to capture a different stage of creation, suggesting the evolution of an idea. Curator: I agree. The emphasis on the process collapses the traditional distinction between artist and artisan. It's all about the labor inherent in image production, the repetitive gestures creating each mark. Editor: The work invites us to contemplate the stories held in those hands, the tradition of artistry they embody, and the symbols they choose to carve. Curator: Indeed. It’s a wonderful documentation of a craft. Editor: A truly powerful meditation on artistic creation.