Mass Burial c. 20th century

Editor: This is "Mass Burial" by W. Mezentseva. The figures in gas masks really give me a sense of dread. How do you interpret this work, especially considering its historical context? Curator: Well, the starkness of the printmaking amplifies the horror, doesn't it? The figures in protective gear, the bodies... it speaks to anxieties of the time, possibly reflecting fears around industrial disasters or warfare, and how institutions manage—or mismanage—such events. Who gets protected, and who is left exposed? Editor: That's a chilling point. I hadn't considered the institutional angle so directly. Curator: It's worth thinking about the power structures that shape our perceptions of catastrophes, and the role art plays in making them visible. Editor: Thanks, this has definitely given me a new perspective to consider.