Zusammenbruch c. 1923

Karl Wiener created "Zusammenbruch," with watercolor, ink and graphite, and, looking at it, we are immediately confronted with chaos. Buildings tilt precariously and flames engulf the sky. The composition is divided, with a collapsing urban landscape below and a fiery, smoky sky above. The sharp lines of the buildings contrast with the fluid strokes of the fire and smoke. The colors are jarring, with yellows, purples, and oranges clashing to create a sense of unease. Wiener uses the structural elements to convey his message, and the lack of traditional perspective adds to the feeling of disorientation, challenging our sense of order. The title, meaning "collapse," is a critical element. It suggests not only a physical destruction but a breakdown of societal structures. The contrast between the geometric shapes of the buildings and the organic forms of the fire could symbolize the struggle between order and chaos, or even technology and nature. It is through its formal elements that the artwork functions within a philosophical discourse about modernity, destruction, and renewal.