Cover of 'Armenian folk tales' 

Editor: This is the cover for 'Armenian Folk Tales' by Martiros Sarian, probably a print or poster. The colours are quite muted, mostly red and black on what looks like aged paper. The illustrations of the birds and the plants make it feel a little like a woodblock print. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Immediately, I'm drawn to the interplay between image and text. The birds, almost like heraldic figures, perched above the title, evoke a sense of ancient wisdom and storytelling tradition. Look how the plants beneath mirror that positioning, anchoring the narrative to the earth. Does that resonance with archetypal myths make sense to you? Editor: It does! Like a balance between the heavens and earth? Are the particular birds and flowers relevant to Armenian folk tales or culture? Curator: Precisely! In Armenian iconography and folk art, birds are often messengers, bridging the earthly and divine realms. The stylized plants, perhaps symbolic of growth and resilience, might represent the rich landscapes and oral traditions from which these tales spring. How does the typography strike you in relation to the overall feeling? Editor: The font is quite bold and feels solid. There’s a kind of stark simplicity, fitting for folk tales meant for wide circulation, but maybe also evoking something from the early Soviet era? Curator: That's an astute observation. The poster dates to 1933, a period of significant social and artistic change. The typographic choices, combined with the folk-inspired imagery, subtly convey a sense of national identity and cultural continuity. This resonates in other Eastern European graphics, too. Seeing it from this lens enriches it, right? Editor: Definitely! I hadn't considered the historical and political context at all, so that gives me a lot to think about. Thanks!