Zurich 

Editor: This drawing, “Zurich” by Irene Aronson, created with ink, is quite striking! It’s like looking at a city that’s about to burst apart into fractured pieces. All these chaotic lines, yet a recognizable cityscape emerges. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, considering the historical context, especially the prevalence of abstraction after major wars, the fractured style could reflect societal fragmentation. Cities, particularly after periods of rapid change or conflict, become palimpsests of history and the politics inherent in place. The image gives you a glimpse of an urban setting marked by many layers of influence. Do you agree? Editor: I do see that now. It’s like the artist isn’t just showing Zurich, but also its historical and cultural layers. What about the sharp contrast? It's visually arresting but feels quite stark. Curator: The contrast may allude to the sharp divisions or class tensions within a society, something artists often explore. Think of Zurich's role as a financial center. What statement might Aronson be making with such a jagged and somewhat unsettling portrayal? Editor: I hadn’t thought about that tension. So the work’s “politics” are tied to the subject of the work? Curator: Precisely. Also consider the absence of people in the drawing. Who inhabits or is excluded from this Zurich represented by lines and angles? Editor: It makes you wonder about who is left out of the picture, or perhaps pushed to the margins. Thanks for bringing a political reading into it. I see it so differently now. Curator: Art holds a mirror to society. Once we understand that connection, we grasp a richer narrative. Editor: I’ll definitely keep that in mind moving forward.