One of 28 slides of prints c. 20th century

Curator: This is one of 28 slide prints by Josef Albers, found at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark black and white lines are immediately striking. Editor: It does feel visually arresting, like a study in the tensions between graphic precision and the illusion of depth. Curator: Precisely. Albers' interest in materials and process comes through. Think of the physical act of creating these geometric patterns, the labour behind the illusion. Editor: That labour connects to a larger narrative, doesn’t it? The Bauhaus, where Albers taught, sought to democratize art, making it accessible across class and gender. This image feels like a testament to that project. Curator: Absolutely. It prompts questions about the role of art in societal shifts. Editor: Right, and the limitations of such shifts in the face of entrenched power. Curator: A reminder that art always exists within, and often pushes against, its own historical moment. Editor: Exactly. It's a call to action and reflection, all in one striking image.