470A Relations of a Spider 1971

Curator: This mixed-media print by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, titled "470A Relations of a Spider," was created in 1971. I find myself intrigued by its unusual geometry and its bold color palette. What are your first impressions? Editor: There is something comforting yet unsettling about it. The colors are almost childlike in their vibrancy, but the rigid geometric structure layered within generates a sort of nervous energy. It feels intentionally disharmonious. Curator: Considering the period it was made, perhaps we can think of it as a reaction against established norms. The early 70s were a period of great social upheaval and experimentation. There’s almost a rebellion embedded in its form, wouldn't you say? An active disavowal of tradition? Editor: The recurring concentric circles definitely trigger some primordial archetypes. I think about the eye as a window to the soul. Maybe it's about a spider's-eye-view? About seeing from a specific perspective and all the cultural weight spiders have had as creators and deceivers in various myths. Curator: It could be an expression of Hundertwasser’s critique of industrial society; you know, the grid represents conformity and the destruction of the natural world. Editor: Yet the hand-drawn quality and irregularities of those lines disrupt any sense of perfect geometry. This suggests a vital, living force pushing against sterile systems. Curator: Exactly. I like how you describe it: “a living force”. This work becomes a kind of manifesto, positioning itself outside rigid structures of power. Editor: The more I consider it, the more the work reminds me how symbols act as complex signifiers, their meanings often culturally dependent and shifting across time. Even a single geometric shape. Curator: Absolutely. This piece provides ample ground for discussions of symbolism, history, and how we can see even non-objective art as profoundly political. Editor: It's certainly made me re-think my own perspective and any pre-conceived associations that spring to mind. Thank you.