Wappen 

Curator: What a vibrant image! My first impression is one of organised chaos. All these symbols, texts, colours...It is captivating. Editor: Let’s delve into this artwork a bit more. It's titled “Wappen,” and it is by August Natterer, who employed mixed media, including drawing and painting, in his practice. It presents, at least at first glance, figuration typical for portraits or family crests, but there's something that immediately breaks it down. Curator: Yes, traditionally coats of arms are symbols of authority, heredity, and status. Natterer presents what seems to be family symbols; however, the handmade feel, especially the very visible brushstrokes and pencil marks, give a certain raw edge. There's a tangible sense of labour that counteracts the inherent elitism. The drawing looks like craft. Editor: I agree. The very choice of depicting family names could be rooted in social ambition or simply nostalgia; his social reality had profound repercussions in his life, which might indicate a social comment, if a raw one. And let's look at how social institutions might have played a role. Considering that Natterer was diagnosed with schizophrenia, it is very possible that the institution where he was placed—his reality from then on—encouraged or shaped the narrative behind this imagery. The location where such art pieces have been shown shapes our interpretations even to this day. Curator: Absolutely. It almost reverses traditional ideas. The medium itself – the material – becomes a message. The imperfections point to the human hand, and the process. How different this piece would feel had he, say, chosen to embroider those family seals with silver thread! I would also be interested to explore what types of readily available supplies were accessible to him where he worked on this piece. Editor: I agree; however, looking through this more socially oriented lens is not devoid of pitfalls. If the production material became a point of reference and a source of symbolism, and meaning, where does that leave us? Curator: I'd say with an intriguing puzzle, reflecting the blurred lines between status, craft, and the artist's internal reality. It is beautiful and fascinating how Natterer brought the material and social history into our view. Editor: Exactly. A truly insightful synthesis, leaving us with a greater appreciation of its multifaceted nature.