‘The Deluge’ by Doré + Army Officer’s Cap 1995 - 2007

Editor: Here we have León Ferrari's ‘The Deluge’ by Doré + Army Officer’s Cap. It’s a powerful, unsettling piece; the original engraving depicts a scene of chaos. What’s striking is the addition of the military cap. How do you interpret this juxtaposition? Curator: It’s a potent critique, isn't it? Ferrari uses the image of Doré's deluge, a scene of biblical destruction and suffering, combined with the naval officer's cap to comment on state-sponsored violence and repression. It asks: who holds the power during times of crisis, and how is that power wielded? Editor: So it’s a statement on authority during widespread catastrophe? Curator: Precisely. Ferrari is implicating the military, perhaps even the state itself, in the creation or exacerbation of suffering. It’s a powerful commentary on institutional accountability. Editor: I never considered how religion and government could be tied together in this way. Thank you.