1988 Impossible Dialogue

Dibble created a small number of sculptures using sheet steel, bent by using giant industrial presses and bolted together in a method similar in principle to origami, yet producing works sturdy enough to withstand outdoor conditions. This was pivotal for Dibble, in his move to work out technical methods to produce large works that could become landmarks and be a part of cities instead of contained within gallery walls.

Impossible Dialogue is the last of Dibble’s “foldings”. It features a large bold figure balanced on three legs. An energetic piece, fitting for a university campus, its arms are raised in enthusiastic gesture and it has a manic smile. One of Dibble’s signature parrots, the figure’s conversation partner, swings on a small rod that reaches out from the body.

The work was originally shown at The Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt. After the exhibition was completed, Dibble applied for the work to be purchased by the Palmerston North College of Education (where he was teaching) for the cost of its production. After the College of Education merged with Massey the work ended up in storage.

With the assistance of local gallerist Bronwyn Zimmerman, Impossible Dialogue was retrieved from storage, refurbished and installed in 2016 at its current site on the Massey University campus in Palmerston North.