Reuzenrad in Parijs c. 1919

Editor: So, this is "Reuzenrad in Parijs," or "Ferris Wheel in Paris," a mixed-media print from around 1919, currently housed here at the Rijksmuseum. The first thing that struck me was how this wheel dominates the composition and it makes me think of progress, but also being stuck on a ride, so what do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s compelling, isn't it? This image pulls from several cultural wellsprings. On one hand, the Ferris wheel is the symbol of modernity, an icon of technological advancement promising thrilling perspectives, reminiscent of the Tower of Babel and the human aspiration to the divine. But look at its static state here and it's very dark outline. Does it speak more to our captivity than to the soaring, sublime potentiality of the ride itself? What would make it more triumphant for you? Editor: Well, maybe if the wheel was in motion? I hadn't really thought about it like that; it definitely feels more monumental and still. That idea of captivity and potentiality you brought up is quite interesting. Curator: Note also the industrial structure abutting the wheel: A smokestack suggests something entirely different, and perhaps less inspiring than its entertainment neighbor. Do the heavy support beams remind you of war? What cultural symbols do *you* perceive when you view this? Editor: It's true, that chimney does stand out...It certainly gives a specific character to that period... now when I look at the supporting structures and the heavy beams I see both peace and conflict like a reconciliation between these states, maybe. This discussion helped to focus the ideas a bit better! Curator: Precisely. These juxtapositions reflect a period of reconstruction. Symbolically, a turning point that acknowledges both hope and the residue of industrial impact. I appreciate how this reflects our discussion, showing the evolving power of these potent, universal symbols.