II Dasein 2001

Lenka Vilhelmovà created this print, titled II Dasein, using etching techniques. The image is a study in subtle contrasts. Vilhelmovà coaxes a remarkable range of tones from the metal plate, from velvety blacks to ghostly grays. This is achieved through careful manipulation of acid, which bites into the metal to varying depths, combined with the pressure of the printing press itself. Notice how these choices influence the image's hazy, dreamlike quality. The architectural forms depicted may remind you of industrial spaces or perhaps even subterranean realms. The aquatint method gives the print its grainy texture, further enhancing the sense of age and obscurity. This connects the printmaking tradition, with its emphasis on skilled labor, to the depiction of spaces often associated with work, industry, and human experience. Ultimately, Vilhelmovà’s print invites us to consider the connections between material, process, and social context. It is a reminder that art is not just about what is depicted, but also about how it is made.