Antoninianus of Gallienus c. 3th century

Editor: Here we have an Antoninianus of Gallienus. It's a coin, and it has an antique, almost eerie quality due to its green patina. How do you see the composition and materiality of this piece? Curator: The layering of verdigris is fascinating. Notice how the green interacts with the base metal; the textures are almost topographic. Consider the inherent tension between the original intended image and the effects of time, each a form of visual language in itself. Editor: So, the material itself tells a story separate from the original engraving? Curator: Precisely. It creates a dialogue between intention and chance, design and decay, resulting in a new visual syntax. Have we perhaps overlooked the effects of time in our interpretations of art? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. Examining the interplay of design and material alteration offers fertile ground for re-evaluation.