Briefkaart aan Philip Zilcken before 1918

This is a simple postcard to Philip Zilcken by Rose Imel, its function is purely communicative. The formal elements are stark, dominated by a grid of lines that guide the placement of address and message, overlaid with rubber stamps and handwriting. Consider how Imel’s use of space and text creates a structured yet informal composition. The horizontal lines contrast with the verticality of the written address, creating a visual rhythm. The stamps act as a semiotic framework, marking the card's journey through the postal system. Each element—the typeface, the handwriting, the stamps—functions as a sign, contributing to the card's overall meaning. We might consider how this interplay destabilizes the traditional concept of art. Its value lies not in its aesthetic beauty, but in its function as a medium of communication. This challenges fixed meanings and invites a reinterpretation of everyday objects as potential art.