blank 1864 - 1941

Editor: This is Niels Larsen Stevns's "blank," believed to be created sometime between 1864 and 1941. It looks like a drawing on paper with watercolor. It has such a quiet, unassuming presence... What story do you think its materials tell? Curator: For me, this isn't merely a drawing; it's a document of material interaction. The paper itself speaks of production—where did it come from, what labor went into its making? How was it manufactured and distributed? And the watercolor – what were the social implications of its accessibility and use during Stevns's time? These things determine the nature of the object. Editor: That's interesting. I never thought about paper having a story, just its content. Does the apparent 'blankness' affect how we consider that production process? Curator: Absolutely. The ‘blankness’ focuses our attention. Is it really blank? Or does the subtle discoloration hint at a previous life, previous uses of labor and artistic skill, partially erased? Even the lack of an image speaks to decisions about consumption and display, about what is deemed worthy of artistic effort, preservation and artistic statement. Editor: So you’re saying the choices about what *not* to depict, or perhaps the failure to preserve, are crucial to understanding this? Curator: Precisely! We're forced to confront the very materiality of the art object. The value of it depends less on artistic creation and more on a system of commerce where its physical attributes determine value. Does it suggest commentary of labor processes from that era, or consumer culture at all? These are some questions that may emerge, for example. Editor: I see what you mean. Considering the labor and materials involved really shifts the focus away from the artist's intention. Curator: Indeed. It makes us consider art not as the product of individual genius, but as the outcome of material and social conditions. I really wonder about all the hands and machines involved to arrive at this “blank” image. Editor: This has given me a completely new way to look at seemingly simple drawings! It shows all art is about human and societal relationships. Curator: Exactly! Focusing on these processes creates opportunities to address power dynamics in society which is also represented by those pieces.