701A Crusade of the Crossroaders 1971

Editor: So, this mixed-media painting is called "701A Crusade of the Crossroaders," created in 1971 by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The longer I look, the more it feels like an otherworldly map, but also…a bit unsettling. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ah, yes, Hundertwasser’s maps…or rather, his cartographies of the soul. Do you notice how the lines echo the growth rings of a tree, a snail’s shell, or even the iris of an eye? These spirals are not just decorative; they represent life's cyclical journey. Hundertwasser believed in the inherent wisdom of organic forms, viewing them as symbols of resilience. Editor: I do see the spirals now that you mention it! The road sort of *is* a shell… Is the dark swirl in the center also part of this symbolism? Curator: Precisely! It suggests a convergence, a dark vortex perhaps representing the crossroads of choices or maybe the collective unconscious itself. Look at how the faces emerge from the landscape—almost dreamlike. What feelings do those figures evoke for you? Editor: I see the faces, a little hidden but definitely there! They seem... melancholic, maybe burdened by the very journey you described. And the cars feel almost like afterthoughts, disrupting the natural flow. Curator: Excellent observation! He critiques modern life, its obsession with linear progress, which is against nature's inherent cycles. Hundertwasser urges us to reconsider our path, to seek harmony between humanity and nature, reflecting a deeper understanding of our place in the cosmos. Do you think his message resonates today? Editor: Definitely. Looking at it that way, the "crusade" seems less like a military campaign and more like… a personal quest. This was a whole new perspective on this artwork, thanks! Curator: It is a powerful journey indeed. Exploring how art reveals deeper truths can alter our understanding of who we are and where we're heading.