Ahatfenster 2009

Editor: This mixed-media piece, a sculpture called "Ahatfenster," was created in 2009 by Sigmar Polke. I’m immediately struck by its vibrant colours and the layering of geometric forms, almost like a magnified slice of Earth's interior. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The use of agate, a stone formed over millennia, is particularly significant. Agate, in many cultures, has been associated with protection, balance, and grounding. By using it in what appears to be a window, Polke invites us to see beyond the surface, perhaps even into the depths of time itself. The layering, as you noted, also evokes a sense of geological history and the Earth’s continuous transformation. Do you think the window format changes our perspective? Editor: Definitely! Windows often frame a view, but here, the window *is* the view – an almost microscopic one into mineral formation, usually unseen. Are there other cultural references we might be missing? Curator: Consider the symbolic weight of the circle, prevalent within each agate slice. The circle, or mandala, is a potent symbol of wholeness and cosmic unity, recurring across cultures. By arranging these circular stones together, Polke subtly hints at interconnectedness, a larger, harmonious whole. Even chaos, represented by unpredictable forms and colours, exists within the larger, almost perfect circle. How does that speak to you? Editor: I think it creates a sense of harmony out of what appears initially as random. Each piece has its own individual identity, but together they create something beautiful. The material itself suggests so much— time, the earth. Curator: Precisely! Polke uses familiar symbols and geological imagery to convey cultural memory and create a profound statement about history and connection. It reminds me that so much history and knowledge resides within this artwork! Editor: I agree. This artwork makes me wonder how a window could serve as portal, bringing us back in time through something as simple as colourful stones.