One on One 2020

Eckart Hahn’s ‘One on One’ presents us with two storks against a simple blue backdrop, their beaks interlocked and bound by red rope. Hahn was born in Germany, where the white stork is a symbol of good luck, and new beginnings, and is often culturally associated with birth. Here, Hahn challenges traditional associations by introducing a black stork – a bird with the same familial ties, yet marked by difference. The image evokes a sense of tension: the birds, constrained by the red rope, are held in an intimate yet confrontational pose. One might see an exploration of relationships and the delicate balance between connection and constraint, particularly within the context of societal expectations. Consider the contrast between the white and black storks; Hahn seems to ask us to consider the complexities of identity, and how society imposes barriers on authentic connection. The artist draws us into a psychological space, where the viewer is invited to contemplate the nuances of identity, and the complexities of ‘one on one’ relationships.