Boekenlegger c. 1920 - 1930

This bookmarker was made by Erich Wichmann, but we don't know exactly when. It's a simple object, but that doesn't mean it's not complex. Look at how the surface is treated, that craquelure effect running down the strip, almost like dry earth. I love the way that the object has clearly been used, been worn and handled, acquiring a patina through use that speaks of time passing. It reminds me that art, even in the everyday, is not just about the initial making, but about the ongoing process of interaction and change. And then there's that little mask at the bottom. Is it a god, a demon, or just a face staring back at us from the pages of a book? It's kind of ambiguous, and that's what I like about it. It makes you wonder. Reminds me of the work of Paul Klee and his simple, yet mystical figures. Art is always a conversation, isn't it?