Noah Planning the Ark c. 20th century

Editor: Bernard Reder’s print, "Noah Planning the Ark," shows Noah hunched over a table covered in bizarre instruments. It feels both ancient and futuristic. What symbols stand out to you? Curator: The ark itself, though absent, is evoked through these strange instruments. They're not just tools; they're containers of cultural memory, echoing alchemical equipment and astronomical devices. Editor: Alchemy and astronomy? How so? Curator: Look at the careful arrangement, the beakers, the celestial orbs. Reder isn't just depicting shipbuilding; he's tapping into the human desire to understand, to control, even recreate the world around us in the face of destruction. Editor: So, it is not just a biblical story; it represents a broader human condition? Curator: Precisely. The image is a potent reminder of our enduring impulse to rebuild, reimagine, and ensure continuity. Editor: I see it now! Thanks for connecting those symbols to our collective cultural memory.