Havzi Nela 2016

Curator: Gazmend Freitag created this drawing, entitled "Havzi Nela," in 2016. It appears to be rendered in graphite pencil. Editor: There's an immediate intimacy in its sketch-like quality, as if captured in a fleeting moment. You sense a rawness, perhaps even vulnerability, from this hastily rendered portrait. Curator: Freitag's choice of graphite brings us to consider the act of drawing itself, the physical labor of creating this likeness through the repetitive layering of lines. This tactile process feels important to how we engage with the image. Editor: Absolutely. The use of portraiture here situates Nela within a tradition of representation, and begs the question of who has historically been deemed worthy of memorialization. The way Freitag is rendering his facial expression seems intent, though reserved, which might play into how famous-people, particularly from specific socio-political eras, have been immortalized or made larger than life. Curator: Indeed, it forces one to consider who Havzi Nela was and his socio-political standing during that time, and to recognize the layers of meaning embedded in this artistic rendering of fame and celebrity, because, without that context, it would simply be a competent study. Editor: And that date, 2016, situates the work in a contemporary conversation about historical memory and perhaps, challenges established narratives through the democratization of image-making. It suggests we need to explore who determines those histories. Curator: Considering the materiality of graphite – essentially processed carbon – one wonders if that informs the choice of medium. Graphite, after all, is extracted, processed, and transformed into a tool of representation. Is there a connection there? Editor: It is important to look into how artistic decisions, such as using pencil or graphite, add complexity to historical representations. What materials are prioritized or deemed "fine art," and how does that influence the impact of an image of Nela? Curator: Food for thought, I agree. Let’s hope it gets viewers to consider those complexities. Editor: Absolutely, this seemingly simple sketch has layers of socio-political inquiry and provides much to discuss and to question, so there is certainly opportunity for learning and reflection.