Por La Calle (Through the Streets) 2003

Marina Pallares made this image, Por La Calle, using a printmaking technique called linocut, where the artist carves a design into a sheet of linoleum, then inks and prints it. The image is simple but striking. Black lines carve out a scene of everyday urban life. We see a cyclist, and pedestrians; the bold cuts give a real sense of depth. The medium of linocut itself has a fascinating history, once considered the poor cousin of wood engraving. It came into its own in the early 20th century, associated with both commercial design and political activism. Think of the German Expressionists, for example. The graphic quality of linocut made it ideal for posters and flyers, cheap to produce but visually arresting. Pallares harnesses this history, using the strong contrasts and directness of the medium to capture a fleeting moment in time. This artwork reminds us that what an artwork is made from matters just as much as what it depicts.