Untitled c. 1947 - 1949

Editor: This is an untitled gelatin silver print by Anneliese Hager. It has such stark contrasts. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: The biomorphic shapes and stark contrasts are evocative. Given the period and Hager's avant-garde circle, it's tempting to read this through a lens of female agency reclaiming abstract forms. Where do you see that reflected here? Editor: I didn't initially, but the shapes feel very assertive. They occupy space boldly. Curator: Exactly. And considering the historical constraints placed on women artists, this boldness becomes a statement. It challenges the expected demureness. Editor: That's a powerful reading. I wouldn't have considered that. Curator: Art is always a product of its time, reflecting and resisting societal norms. Keep asking what power dynamics are at play. Editor: I will. This has given me a new way to look at abstract art.