13992 („Was alle Leute meinen …“) 1931 - 1932

This quirky collage and ink drawing was made by John Elsas in 1936. It features a figure constructed from geometric shapes, kinda like a paper doll, with a playful, almost mischievous expression. Imagine Elsas piecing this character together, carefully cutting and arranging each shape, giving it a life and personality with minimal means. There's a lightness to it, a sense of humor that makes you wonder what Elsas was thinking. Maybe he was poking fun at societal expectations, or perhaps just reveling in the joy of creating something unexpected. The bold colors and simple forms remind me a little of early 20th-century expressionism but with an added dash of Dadaist wit. It's like Elsas is saying, "Here's a figure, but it's not quite what you expect.” Artists are always riffing off each other, responding to what came before, pushing boundaries, and starting conversations across time. This piece feels like a small, joyful note in that ongoing dialogue. It reminds us that art doesn't always have to be serious; sometimes, it can just be playful and a little bit weird.