Houses 1949

Editor: Werner Heldt’s "Houses" is quite striking, a stark woodcut of buildings in heavy black ink. The pile of rubble at their base feels particularly foreboding. What symbols or imagery do you see at play here? Curator: The ruins are the key. Note how they contrast with the geometry of the standing structures. Does that rubble suggest a recent past, or the weight of history and memory pressing down? Is the stark contrast between black and white a metaphor? Editor: I hadn’t considered the contrast itself as a symbol. It definitely deepens the impact. Curator: Indeed, the enduring symbols are those that speak to multiple generations, constantly reshaped by new experiences and new contexts. Editor: Thank you for that insightful look at the symbolism. Curator: It has given me a new perspective to consider as well.