Untitled 1977

Editor: We're looking at an "Untitled" etching and drawing by Franz Hitzler from 1977. The contrast between the dark void and the frantic lines depicting the figure is striking. What’s your take on this piece? Curator: It's a compelling piece, isn't it? The void speaks volumes, almost as if it’s devouring the figure. Hitzler often explored the human condition, and this piece feels like a visual scream. See how the lines aren’t just descriptive, but emotionally charged? The figure is there but also isn't, fragmented, on the verge of disappearing. I always think of the stories my grandfather would tell. Ever feel like life is one of those tales you hear as a kid—both terrifying and incredibly beautiful? Editor: Yes! I hadn't thought of it that way. It almost feels like the figure is caught between existence and non-existence. The black feels so final. Curator: Exactly! And etching allows for this incredible delicacy and roughness simultaneously, that’s critical here. What do you think about the figure itself? Is it male, female, something else? Editor: That's a good question! I’m not sure. The androgyny adds another layer of mystery, I guess. Curator: It certainly does. And Hitzler probably intended that ambiguity. To me, the figure isn't so much about gender as it is about *being*. It's a meditation on mortality, transience…the messy beauty of existence before we fade into whatever that dark space represents. Editor: I see what you mean. I came in thinking about it being starkly black and white, but now it seems much more nuanced. Curator: Art is sneaky like that. It's all about looking beyond what you immediately perceive. Thanks for letting me chew on that piece with you; my mind is humming!