17369 („Und will ein Mann ein Weib studieren …“) 1932

This mixed media piece of paper and collage by John Elsas features geometric shapes in a playful dialogue. The colors are saturated, jumping off the page in an almost defiant manner. The figures are constructed from flat planes of color, a jigsaw puzzle of human form that reveals the raw physicality of the materials. I love that the cut edges aren't smoothed away, the texture adds to the work’s honesty. Look at the green and blue hues of the woman’s skirt. The colors almost vibrate against each other, creating a sense of movement and depth. This reminds me a bit of Hannah Höch's collage work, there's that same interest in fragmentation and the idea of piecing together new realities from pre-existing materials. Ultimately, a piece like this isn't about perfect representation, but about the messy, beautiful process of making and seeing.