Page opening 10 from "The Heavenly Palaces: Merkabah" 1990

Editor: This is "Page opening 10 from 'The Heavenly Palaces: Merkabah'" by Anselm Kiefer. The dimensions are quite large at approximately 40 by 80 inches. The grayscale gives a somber and spectral feeling. What do you make of this? Curator: The ethereal quality you note is key. Kiefer often grapples with Germany's complex history, particularly the Holocaust and its aftermath. Consider the "Merkabah" title, referencing Jewish mysticism. Do you see the tension between the promise of spiritual ascent and the weight of historical trauma here? Editor: I think I do. The brickwork seems to suggest both construction and ruin. Curator: Exactly. This echoes the debates surrounding German identity and memory. It's not just about individual guilt but collective responsibility and the ongoing struggle to reconcile with the past. Editor: Thank you. I now realize there's much more than meets the eye in this piece. Curator: Indeed. By situating the work within its historical and cultural context, we can begin to understand the complex layers of meaning Kiefer intended.