‘The Statue of Liberty’ by Dubourdieu + ‘Demons Torturing Sorceresses’ by Thomas Darling, 1597 1995 - 2007

Editor: León Ferrari's combination of 'The Statue of Liberty' with Thomas Darling's 'Demons Torturing Sorceresses' is certainly striking. The juxtaposition feels deliberately unsettling. What cultural tensions do you think Ferrari is exploring here? Curator: The layering of images exposes a cultural memory. The Statue of Liberty, a symbol of enlightenment ideals, is overlaid with a representation of the brutal persecution of witchcraft. Do you see how Ferrari might be critiquing Western culture's darker history? Editor: It's a powerful statement. The demons undermining Liberty are a potent symbol of repressed histories. I hadn't considered the connection to the persecution of witches. Curator: Precisely. By bringing these disparate images together, Ferrari highlights the shadows beneath the veneer of progress, demanding we confront uncomfortable truths. Editor: This reframing really shifts my understanding. I appreciate the insight into the work's layered meaning. Curator: Likewise. It reminds us that symbols are never fixed; their meanings evolve as our understanding of the world deepens.