Parachutes c. 1943

Curator: This woodcut print from circa 1943 is called "Parachutes" by Harry Gottlieb. At first glance, the sheer number of parachutes cascading down towards a simple countryside strikes me as almost overwhelming. Editor: Overwhelming is the right word. I immediately think about the relationship between these silhouetted figures and the parachutes that contain them, what those parachutes afforded them and what it asked of them. The sheer volume really gets me too. Curator: Given the historical context of its creation, the social role of art, especially during wartime, cannot be ignored. Artists like Gottlieb, influenced by the American social realism movement, felt compelled to document and reflect on the events of their time. Editor: Exactly. So, while on one hand, it’s a scene of war, the pastel colors and somewhat naive art style softens the subject and creates this dichotomy. It’s not necessarily glorifying war, but making it… digestible? The landscape seems quaint, almost like a stage set for a dark performance. Curator: I see what you mean. And those two planes hovering in the sky feel menacing. But if you look more closely, those little houses and winding path imply the presence of everyday life about to be drastically altered. Gottlieb created this work during a time when the US was heavily invested in its wartime identity. What message do you think he intended to convey? Editor: Perhaps it’s a reflection on the collective anxiety around the global conflict? This scene captures the intersection of military intervention with notions of place, space, and even personal identity, all converging on that singular landscape. Who did that quaint countryside really belong to, and what were the social, racial, and gendered hierarchies playing out amongst these paratroopers? Curator: Indeed. It provokes important conversations about how war impacted American communities. Gottlieb made artworks for the people, hoping to elevate collective consciousness on social justice issues through accessibility. Editor: Well, regardless of the message Gottlieb meant to convey, “Parachutes” has continued to evolve within socio-political narratives over time, especially with new generations reckoning with the ramifications of globalization and mass violence. Curator: Absolutely. Thinking about how artworks like these enter public life really demonstrates the significance of cultural production and its relevance within the trajectory of social transformation. Editor: It does leave a lingering sense of unease. I will never look at parachutes the same.