The secret window and the view on the central post office in Karlovac 2008

Editor: Alfred Freddy Krupa painted "The Secret Window and the View on the Central Post Office in Karlovac" in 2008, using watercolors. I’m really struck by the contrast between the delicate, almost faded cityscape and the stark black surrounding it. It's like looking at a memory. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The image is very dreamlike, almost a fleeting vision framed by what seems to be a void. Note the Post Office itself: for generations, these were potent symbols of civic communication, community, and connection. This one, shrouded in misty watercolor, becomes less about functional architecture and more about the fragile nature of how we connect with others and with shared history. What do you make of that lone antenna reaching towards the sky? Editor: I see it as this modern interruption, this almost invasive signal against a skyline that would probably exist without it. I guess it reminds me of progress? Or the illusion of it, at least? Curator: Precisely. The antenna can also be understood as an aspirational symbol: Humanity has been seeking new heights, transcendence, new connections, be they technological, or spiritual, and how does it fit with this older system of correspondence and civic participation, which is the post office. The painting itself acts as a secret window, inviting contemplation about progress and tradition. Does the 'secret window' have a psychological impact for you? Editor: Absolutely, the title infers a mystery! Thinking about these systems, perhaps it's a reminder that what we see isn't the full story, like peering into a hidden space. It also reminds me that how and what we remember of specific sites evolves with time. Curator: Indeed. The painting then serves as a powerful visual metaphor, asking us to examine the layers of meaning we ascribe to familiar symbols and spaces, and consider our role in preserving cultural memory.