Ascension. Mand og kvinde. Til højre mandshoved med cigar 1935

Editor: This is Christian Kongstad Petersen's 1935 ink drawing, "Ascension. Mand og kvinde. Til højre mandshoved med cigar," currently at the SMK. It feels heavy, almost like a theatrical backdrop, yet incomplete somehow. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Incomplete... I love that. It's like peeking behind the curtain, isn't it? The wash of ink is so forceful, creating this dense atmosphere. To me, it speaks of hidden worlds and power. The title, "Ascension," feels ironic. These figures seem weighed down. It's interesting how Petersen contrasts the solid, imposing figures on the left with the ephemeral, almost ghostly head on the right, calmly smoking. Do you think the cigar adds to this air of detached observation? Editor: Definitely detached! Almost like the smoker is commenting on the ‘ascension’ as some sort of absurd performance. But are they ascending, or being crushed? Curator: Exactly! It could be both, couldn't it? The power of suggestion is key here. Think about it. What does ascension really mean? Escape, yes, but also tremendous pressure. The density of the ink could be the very weight holding them back. The contrast with the airy head only emphasizes the struggle. This tension is exactly what draws me back. Editor: So, the incomplete nature contributes to the mystery, allowing for these multiple readings. I’d been so focused on the oppressive mood that I overlooked that possibility! Curator: It’s like life, always a work in progress, full of contradictory whispers. Art, at its best, holds that ambiguity for us, doesn't it? What a delightful piece!