Drawing for a Project No. 12 1965

Editor: Here we have Stephen Willats' "Drawing for a Project No. 12" from the Tate Collection. The geometric shapes and arrows give me the sense of a diagram. What is your take on it? Curator: I see it as an exploration of how materials and the process of making can represent systems of control and communication. The drawing’s instructional feel prompts us to consider the social context of its creation, perhaps reflecting post-war urban planning or bureaucratic structures. What kind of labour would that involve? Editor: So, you're saying it isn't just about the colors, but the underlying systems at play? That's fascinating. Curator: Exactly. This work challenges the traditional view of art as purely aesthetic, pushing us to examine the means of production and the societal influences embedded within it. I am still digesting its true purpose.