Crucifixion I 1913

Editor: Here we have Wilhelm Morgner's woodcut, "Crucifixion I," from 1913. It’s a powerful image, stark with its black and white contrast. What draws my eye is how the artist utilizes the grain of the wood, giving the whole piece a raw, almost tortured feeling. What strikes you when you look at this piece? Curator: Well, for me, it’s all about understanding the physical act of creation. Consider the labor involved in carving this woodcut. Each line, each shape is the result of a deliberate act of resistance – the artist pushing against the material itself. It transforms the traditional subject matter into something quite radical. Do you see how that materiality changes the viewing experience? Editor: I do. Knowing it's a woodcut gives it a weightiness. It feels less ethereal and more grounded. Almost brutal, compared to a painting on canvas. Curator: Exactly! The material itself infuses the work with meaning. It also hints at the social context – woodcuts were relatively inexpensive to produce, making them accessible to a wider audience. So, how does this inform your interpretation, now? Editor: It’s like Morgner democratized the crucifixion. Made it more about the physical suffering and the shared experience rather than some divine event far removed from us. The choice of material becomes integral to its message. Curator: Precisely. The labor, the process, and accessibility challenge any high-art interpretation, instead asking the viewer to acknowledge labor, consumption and shared experience in their lives and the lives of others. Editor: That's a great point! Seeing the work through the lens of materials and labor gives it so much more depth. Thanks for showing me that perspective! Curator: My pleasure! Remember, every artistic choice reflects both intention and circumstance, which offers deeper ways of analyzing.