Stencil for Illustrated Don Quixote (Ehon Don Kihōte) Possibly 1936

Editor: This is Serizawa Keisuke's "Stencil for Illustrated Don Quixote," date unknown, at the Harvard Art Museums. It's fascinating how the stark contrast of black and white creates such depth. How should we interpret this piece? Curator: Consider the labor invested. Each cut, each deliberate choice of positive and negative space speaks to a tradition of craft elevated to fine art. How does the stencil medium influence our understanding of the Don Quixote narrative? Editor: I see how the medium impacts the message! It’s like the process itself becomes a part of the story. Curator: Precisely. The act of making becomes a commentary on the themes of craft, labor, and the democratization of art, challenging conventional definitions.