Lint van crèmekleurig gaas van 15 meter c. 1900 - 1915

This is 'Lint van crèmekleurig gaas van 15 meter' or 'Ribbon of cream-colored gauze of 15 meters', by Gustav Schnitzler. It's an object as an artwork - an exercise in seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary. I find myself thinking about its texture. It’s gauze, so it’s going to be light and airy, but it’s also densely packed, giving it weight and solidity. The cream color is doing a lot of work here, hinting at purity, maybe even fragility, but also suggesting a kind of old-world craftsmanship. The way it’s neatly rolled and tied brings a sense of order to the potentially chaotic nature of the material. I keep coming back to the label. It’s simple, almost austere, but it gives the object a sense of purpose. It’s a reminder that even the most beautiful things can be functional, and that there’s beauty to be found in the everyday. I think of Agnes Martin and her subtle canvases - both Schnitzler and Martin share this meditative quality in their work. Art is an ongoing conversation and embraces ambiguity.