Prague Bread 1968

Curator: Here we see Wolf Vostell's striking piece, "Prague Bread," currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is one of strange beauty—the gold paint against the natural texture of the bread creates a compelling contrast. It's unsettling, too, with that thermometer stuck into it. Curator: Indeed. Vostell was deeply concerned with the socio-political climate of his time. The bread, a staple food, is partially gilded, suggesting a critique of consumerism and perhaps even the commodification of basic human needs. The thermometer pierces that commentary. Editor: It's a potent symbol. Bread, for centuries, has been linked to sustenance, community, and even religious ritual. The gold overlay, and thermometer, then, become a kind of defacement, corrupting these traditional values. Curator: Precisely. Vostell’s work consistently challenged established norms, urging viewers to consider the implications of rapid technological and societal changes. He draws attention to the politics of sustenance, doesn't he? Editor: It certainly feels like a powerful, albeit unsettling, meditation on value and survival in our modern world. One of the most profound things to consider is why Vostell placed the thermometer here instead of somewhere else.