Bortnyik Sándor, Zászló Vivők 1918 

Editor: Here we have Bortnyik Sándor's "Zászló Vivők 1918," or "Flag Bearers 1918." It's a woodcut print that really grabs your attention with its bold, graphic style. There’s such a sense of energy and urgency, but it’s also…slightly menacing? What's your read on this piece? Curator: I see a fascinating visual statement rooted in the socio-political upheaval of post-World War I Europe. Woodcut, as a medium, became closely linked with expressionist artists seeking to create works with a political edge. Do you notice how the artist uses harsh lines and stark contrasts? Editor: Yes, the heavy blacks and whites really make it pop. Almost like propaganda art. Curator: Precisely. And look at the way the figures are stylized, almost caricatured. This wasn’t simply about depicting a scene, but conveying a message. What message do you think it aims to express? Editor: Well, considering the title, “Flag Bearers," and the raised fist, I’d guess it’s about revolution, or maybe a call to action. Curator: That’s a very good point. 1918 was a year of enormous social upheaval. Bortnyik, like many artists, was responding to a rapidly changing world. The star at the top resembles those displayed during Soviet influence... Considering its display then could be an interesting statement depending on the socio-political circumstances in Hungary at the time. Did Bortnyik celebrate progress? Or subtly deride its violence and dispossession? Editor: Wow, I never thought of it that way! Seeing it now, makes me want to delve more deeply into its historical context. Curator: Indeed! That's what makes art like this so powerful – it forces us to confront our understanding of history and power.