Springerle Mold c. 1937

This Springerle Mold, by Charles Von Urban, is a window into another world, or rather, twelve little worlds! Each circular indentation is teeming with detail. There is a real sense of labor, even love, in the act of creation. Look at the textures. The mold's surface isn't smooth or perfect. It’s got a handmade, slightly rough feel, which emphasizes the touch of the artist. Notice how the lines and forms aren't overly polished, but rather raw and direct. It’s a tactile experience, almost like a drawing, which makes me think of my own process. That bottom row of circular forms feels especially alive. The figures of people and beasts are rendered with a real sense of movement and dynamism. In particular, that figure, second from the left. What is he doing? Is he riding an animal? It’s a tiny, beautiful mystery. This piece reminds me of the work of Hilla and Bernd Becher, who photographed industrial structures. Both look at the world as a way to explore repetition, variation and the beauty of simple, repeated forms. Both teach us that art can be found everywhere, even in the most unexpected places.