Hypnotic 60° 2013

Editor: Eckart Hahn's "Hypnotic 60°," created in 2013 with acrylic paint, strikes me as wonderfully odd. The birds against that sharp yellow backdrop… it's almost unsettling, yet vibrant. What do you make of this piece? Curator: Hahn's work is fascinating, especially considering his persistent use of animals, figures and geometric backdrops. In a Jungian sense, consider these avian figures not merely as birds, but as symbols within our collective unconscious. What do these particular birds evoke for you? Editor: The swan, definitely elegance, maybe a bit of darkness because it’s black. The other bird, a heron I think, feels more…grounded? Is there a historical context to how birds are portrayed in art? Curator: Absolutely. Birds have carried symbolic weight across cultures for millennia. The swan, for instance, has been linked to grace and transformation but, given its color, potentially melancholia, even death. The heron, often associated with patience and observation, and this little bird gives off energy. Hahn creates a dialogue between these archetypes. How does that geometric backdrop alter your perception? Editor: It adds a sense of artificiality, like this isn't a natural scene at all, and I guess highlights the surrealism element? I like that it adds to the feeling that these creatures may signify a symbolic element more so than existing only in the physical world. Curator: Precisely. Hahn masterfully utilizes realism with surreal elements. This tension asks us to consider what we think about what these animals truly represent – whether from our history or memory. Editor: This has changed my perspective so much! The depth of symbolism layered within this vibrant composition is truly mesmerizing. Curator: And Hahn's enduring work reminds us of how powerful, complex, and enduring cultural symbols are.