Sand 1970 - 1971

Editor: So, we're looking at "Sand" by Colin Self. It's a black and white image, like an abstract landscape. It kind of reminds me of a microscopic view of something organic. What's your interpretation of this piece? Curator: Given Self's interest in architecture and systems, consider this "sand" not as a natural landscape, but perhaps a deconstructed cityscape, presented during a period of great social upheaval. Editor: A cityscape? I wouldn't have thought of that. So, the abstraction is a reflection of societal fragmentation? Curator: Exactly. The starkness might be seen as a commentary on the perceived failures of urban planning and the anxieties of the time. What do you think the visual language suggests about the role of institutions during its creation? Editor: I guess it makes me consider how art reflects social anxieties. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It’s a powerful lens through which to view history.