Target Practice c. 1927

László Moholy-Nagy’s "Target Practice" is a striking black and white composition of photography and drawing that is sparse, yet dynamic. Circles and lines intersect floating figures, creating a sense of instability, perhaps even menace. Moholy-Nagy masterfully uses semiotics to deconstruct traditional power structures. Each figure, framed within a circle, represents a distinct societal archetype—the soldier, the collective, a shooter and the 'king'. The lines connecting these figures imply relationships of control and subordination. Moholy-Nagy challenges fixed meanings by juxtaposing the mechanical precision of geometric forms with the organic nature of human figures. The absence of a traditional ground destabilizes established hierarchies, forcing us to reconsider the power dynamics inherent in society. The collage underscores the artist's exploration of Constructivist principles. It questions the established meanings, values, or categories to reveal latent power dynamics. This work is a visual critique, encouraging viewers to question and reinterpret the structures that govern their world.