The Struggle 

Editor: Here we have Ivan Valtchev's "The Struggle," an engraving. I find the sharp contrast between light and shadow really dramatic. There's a lot of dynamic movement with the figures falling or flying, it's hard to say. How do you interpret this work, especially considering the title? Curator: The title “The Struggle” certainly invites us to consider themes of power, resistance, and perhaps even trauma. Notice how Valtchev uses the visual language of classical depictions of angels and fallen figures. In that sense, what do you make of that blood-red circle? Does that challenge conventional readings, introducing questions about identity or societal conflict, for example? Editor: I hadn't thought about the circle much; it feels disconnected to the rest of the engraving at first glance. It could signify violence, given the scene below. Curator: Precisely! Or perhaps something lost or damaged? Think about it in terms of marginalized experiences; the 'struggle' to exist can leave deep marks and change one’s perspective and sense of belonging. Consider who typically occupies positions of power and who are often forced into "struggles." How might Valtchev be subtly referencing those imbalances? Editor: That makes sense. Considering the figures' contorted poses, it suggests the suffering from oppression or even internal conflicts. And placing a red shape above emphasizes those experiences. I initially perceived the engraving at face value as some struggle but, it encompasses more complexity and nuanced representation. Curator: Exactly. Art has a great impact because it provides room to think of layered intersections of personal experience, historical legacies and the way these elements affect the present situation of things and power structures. Valtchev’s work makes a call to a continuous and much more insightful study, one that is well worth the efforts!