VARA steekspeldje 1900 - 1982

This little silver pin, made by VARA, has such a strong graphic punch, doesn’t it? You’ve got a fist clutching an arrow, all enclosed in a circle. It makes me think about marks of protest, things that you might wear to show where you stand. I wonder what VARA was thinking when they made this? The hand itself is so detailed. I can imagine them, bent over their workbench, carefully etching each knuckle and crease. It's such a satisfying object, compact and shiny. When you tilt the object the light travels over it, highlighting different planes and marks. It makes me think about the way artists use images to convey meaning, how a simple shape can become a powerful symbol. It reminds me that art is never made in a vacuum. We're always talking to each other, across time, inspiring each other’s creativity, and creating an image of dissent.