Zebras 

Editor: Here we have a print entitled "Zebras" by Hans Erni, created using pencil and drawing techniques. There's something almost dreamlike about it. I am fascinated by Erni's interpretation of the animals; how does he capture a unique aesthetic and presence using such distinct forms? What do you think about this zebra gathering, its symbolic meaning, its interpretation of reality, and what message is hidden inside? Curator: Hidden message, eh? Well, aren't they just splendid! To me, this print feels like stumbling upon a half-remembered childhood story. It dances between meticulous realism and something… looser. Like when your memories bend the facts to create something more emotionally true. Think of the use of line here. So precise in capturing the zebras’ coats, yet dissolving into almost nothing in the background. It’s as if Erni is saying, "These zebras, *this* moment, this is what matters." Ever had a moment where the world seemed to fade around one perfect detail? Editor: Absolutely, like a hyper-focus! So the green space isn’t really *about* the space, but the emphasis that is on the animal subject instead? Curator: Precisely! Also, notice how each zebra has a distinct personality. That one with its backside to us seems mischievous, don't you think? And yet, there's an underlying melancholic mood, don't you agree? Editor: I do see it now, in their almost drooping postures. It makes you wonder if Erni intended to capture them in a moment of rest, perhaps even weariness? Thanks for pointing out all of this to me! I see this print in an entirely new way. Curator: Exactly! And maybe that's the biggest magic trick of art. Making us look, making us feel, and making us find a shared humanity in something as simple as a zebra's stripe. It seems Erni knew the meaning and importance of drawing our attention. It makes this artist a messenger!