Rhythm of Light Waves; Street + Sun + Crowd 1915 - 1916

Editor: This is "Rhythm of Light Waves; Street + Sun + Crowd" by Jules Schmalzigaug, made with mixed media around 1915 or 1916. It's...intense. All these shapes and colors swirling around, it’s hard to make out anything specific, yet I get the sense of bustling city life. How would you interpret this work? Curator: The title is key, isn't it? Schmalzigaug attempts to capture not just the image of a city, but its very energy. Consider the historical moment: pre-war Europe, burgeoning cities, and a fascination with technology and speed. Futurism aimed to depict movement and dynamism, embracing the chaos and vitality of modern life. Editor: So the abstraction isn't just random, it’s meant to *convey* something? The feeling of a modern city? Curator: Precisely. Schmalzigaug uses the visual language of Futurism—the fragmented forms, the vibrant, almost clashing colors—to express the sensory overload of the urban environment. This wasn’t simply about *representing* a street scene; it was about evoking the *experience* of being immersed in it. How do you think the societal changes of the time informed these artists? Editor: It's interesting to think of it as a societal reflection. Like, the increasing speed of life and technological advancements translated to this fragmented and chaotic artistic style. Maybe they felt traditional forms couldn't express the modern experience anymore? Curator: Exactly! Artists became fascinated by how to portray motion, speed, and even the psychological impact of urban life. Schmalzigaug's personal struggles also need consideration, it is telling he struggled with being part of an avant-garde, while trying to forge his own path. It’s hard to tell with paintings sometimes, the intention the artist has, no? Editor: Definitely. I was too focused on just *seeing* the image, and didn’t think about how the context shaped its creation. I learned a lot. Curator: As did I. Reflecting on Schmalzigaug's work and the wider art historical landscape is really a powerful lesson on the intertwining forces of social and personal life with artistic expression.