Untitled 1921

Editor: So, this untitled woodcut by M.C. Escher, dating back to 1921... It strikes me as quite stark. Very geometric, and with this high contrast between the black and white that gives it an almost aggressive feel. What catches your eye about it? Curator: Ah, aggressive, you say? Perhaps assertive is a better word. Think of a chess board mid-game. A stark narrative, certainly, but with a hint of strategy and quiet tension. The vertical lines could symbolize order and precision, and then, bam!—the unexpected angles slice through. For me, that disruption whispers of artistic freedom, especially poignant coming from a young Escher still finding his voice. Editor: I see your point about the "chess board". I also see that the angles disrupting the perfect vertical lines. It reminds me a bit of early 20th century anxiety after the first World War... everything stable falling apart. Is that stretching it too much? Curator: Not at all! Remember, art absorbs and reflects the world around it, even unconsciously. Escher wasn’t just doodling shapes. His work here might echo those feelings of uncertainty and the breakdown of social norms... that sharp move towards abstraction. It's like he’s deconstructing reality right before our eyes. Isn't that intriguing? Editor: Very much so! Now I’m looking at this piece from a whole new perspective... more about deconstructing, but also creating something new. Curator: Precisely! Art’s magic is precisely that — its enduring ability to change what and how we feel. I felt I understood it slightly better. Thanks for your input!