Phaethon Possibly 1965

Editor: This is "Phaethon" by Hideo Hagiwara. It's a dramatic black and white print, and it feels so chaotic! The wheel seems ready to burst, and the figure is falling. What do you make of this depiction? Curator: The drama speaks to a broader cultural anxiety, doesn't it? How might we interpret this moment of chaos? Perhaps as a commentary on unchecked ambition and the hubris of those in power, reflecting postwar anxieties? Editor: So, you're suggesting that the mythological story becomes a lens for viewing social and political turmoil? Curator: Exactly. This print, therefore, is not merely an illustration of a Greek myth; it becomes a powerful statement on the dangers of societal imbalance. It's fascinating to consider how art can take on new meanings through historical contexts. Editor: I see that now. Thanks, I never would have considered that!