A Stone-and-Stucco Hillside House c. 19th century

Curator: Alexandre Calame's "A Stone-and-Stucco Hillside House" presents a crumbling structure embraced by nature. Editor: I'm immediately drawn to the contrast; the roughness of the building against the delicate rendering of the foliage. Curator: Calame, a Swiss artist, often depicted landscapes with a romantic sensibility. Consider how the decay in the architecture might mirror societal shifts or individual struggles. Editor: It's the texture that speaks to me. Stone, stucco, foliage – each has unique properties, and Calame captures their tactile qualities through engraving. What kind of labor went into quarrying the stone, mixing the stucco? Curator: Perhaps we see here a commentary on humanity's impact on the natural world, with the house slowly surrendering to its surroundings. Editor: Or, conversely, it's a testament to the enduring nature of materials, adapting and changing over time. This piece makes me think about the labor of craft and the enduring power of the handmade. Curator: It really provides a lens through which we can examine the narratives of place and belonging. Editor: Indeed, a reminder of the stories embedded within the very fabric of our surroundings.