Pisces 1904

Editor: This watercolor by Koloman Moser, titled "Pisces", was created in 1904. It has such a graphic, almost print-like quality. What’s fascinating to you about it? Curator: I’m immediately drawn to the materials and the process behind its creation. The choice of watercolor, traditionally associated with delicacy, used here to create such bold shapes is interesting. How does the flat application of color speak to the broader context of early 20th-century craft and design? Editor: So you’re suggesting we should think about the intention behind choosing watercolor specifically, and how the artist handled this medium. Curator: Precisely. Think about the Art Nouveau movement's interest in elevating crafts to the level of fine art. The way Moser simplifies the fish and its environment— reducing them to essential forms— highlights a shift towards mass production, where designs needed to be easily reproducible. How might this piece comment on the changing role of the artist in a more industrialized society? Editor: That makes a lot of sense. Seeing it through that lens really changes how I understand it. It’s not just a pretty picture of a fish anymore. I am also struck at how it looks like watercolours but almost mimics textiles due to the textures! Curator: Exactly! And consider how the materiality connects to consumption. These images might have been readily reproduced. Thinking through labor and material choices offers valuable insights into the cultural context of the era. Editor: I never considered that, looking at a piece like this through the means of its production. This approach is very insightful. Curator: It adds a whole new layer to the artwork. I think paying attention to the construction unveils its societal and historical meaning.