Revenge of the Goldfish Possibly 1980 - 1981

Editor: This photograph, "Revenge of the Goldfish," possibly from 1980-1981, is by Sandy Skoglund. It’s quite surreal! A monochromatic room overwhelmed by orange goldfish. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The image is a powerful juxtaposition. Goldfish, traditionally symbols of prosperity and luck, here swarm and almost suffocate the inhabitants. The title suggests an agency, a conscious act of 'revenge.' This immediately evokes ideas around the disrupted domestic space and even childhood anxieties, maybe around issues of being overlooked or dismissed. What happens when the powerless gain power? Editor: I didn’t think about that! So the goldfish aren't just a quirky design choice, but potentially symbolic of repressed emotions? Curator: Precisely! Skoglund uses color and repetition deliberately. The contrasting blue and orange intensifies the dreamlike, unsettling quality. Consider the cultural memory associated with goldfish – fleeting pets, often forgotten. Their 'revenge' could signify a resurgence of neglected aspects of our psyches. Is it merely coincidence, or does this visual symbol bear relationship to recurring patterns observed cross-culturally within diverse psychological frameworks? Editor: So, it's not just a picture; it's loaded with layers of meaning – neglect, power dynamics, even forgotten childhood pets taking on a bigger role! Curator: Yes. By carefully considering the historical and symbolic meaning of an everyday object, Sandy Skoglund presents questions relating to power, abandonment and perhaps even a psychological yearning for acknowledgement. This creates space for critical questioning within our shared human condition and, in the process, a captivating artwork. Editor: Wow, I'll never look at goldfish the same way again. Thanks!