Airplane on fortress 2011

Gazmend Freitag made "Airplane on Fortress" using watercolor and ink, at an unknown date. The image speaks to the complicated relationship between progress and history, and the uneasy presence of the military within civilian life. In the Balkans, where Freitag grew up, the relics of past empires litter the landscape. Their fortifications stand as potent symbols of power and control. Here, Freitag places an airplane, a symbol of modern military might, atop one of these fortresses. Note how the rough, earthy tones of the watercolor evoke a sense of decay and ruin. At the same time, Freitag's expressive ink strokes suggest the dynamism of modern technology. This juxtaposition invites us to consider the legacy of conflict and the ever-present threat of violence. The role of the historian is to look deeper into the contexts that shape such imagery. By researching the specific histories of conflict in Freitag's region, we can better understand this artwork's powerful message.