Untiled (Air Raid on Spanish Village) 1937

Editor: This etching, "Untitled (Air Raid on Spanish Village)" by Michael Lenson, created in 1937, has a raw, almost urgent feel. The harsh lines really emphasize the anguish on their faces. What do you make of this depiction? Curator: Well, consider the context. Lenson made this in '37, during the Spanish Civil War. As a materialist, I look at how the very process of etching lends itself to depicting the harsh realities of war. Think about it: acid biting into metal, mirroring the destructive forces at play. Editor: So the medium itself is part of the message? Curator: Precisely! And consider the social context: the etching as a relatively accessible medium allows for wider distribution, functioning almost like a form of visual journalism, spreading awareness of the atrocities occurring in Spain. Also, how does Lenson depict labour in his broader portfolio? Is it ever a source of trauma as depicted here? Editor: I see what you mean. It is interesting how this would allow the average person access and insight into the travesties of war and allow him/her to formulate independent and individual reactions based on those perceptions. How different this is than relying solely on information mediated through sources prone to censorship, biases or agendas. Curator: Exactly. And look at the sharp angles, almost brutal. There’s no romanticism here. Lenson’s process mirrors the destruction of the air raid, forcing the viewer to confront the violence. Did that give you a new way to view the etching? Editor: Absolutely! I hadn't thought about how the artistic process and broader distribution methods contributed to the overall impact, and understanding those processes opens up an exciting avenue of research and new perspectives. Curator: Glad to offer an insight! Approaching art from a materialist perspective offers valuable clues to its significance.