Bird and Serpent 1946

Editor: This is "Bird and Serpent," a woodcut print by Hans Orlowski from 1946. The stark black and white and the composition of the animals feels…oppressive, almost claustrophobic. What do you see in this piece that maybe I'm missing? Curator: Oppressive, yes, it's a dance with darkness, isn’t it? Immediately, I think of German Expressionism and its raw emotional power, a visual scream rendered in wood. Do you see how the thick, jagged lines create a sense of unease, like the world is fractured? And notice, it’s a *print*. Multiples! The message is meant for everyone. It’s a post-war whisper— or roar— about vulnerability and resilience. But what do you *feel*? Editor: Definitely that sense of unease, it’s almost suffocating! Are we supposed to see these figures as symbolic then? Like the bird represents freedom and the serpent…temptation or danger? Curator: Perhaps. Though, for me, those easy equations never quite satisfy. Look closer: is the bird protecting the snake, or is it trapped with it? Are they predator and prey, or partners in survival? Orlowski doesn’t offer answers, just powerful questions. The symbolism, like life itself, is gloriously, painfully ambiguous, wouldn't you agree? Editor: That's such a good point, it's less about defining them and more about the tension. The print's texture contributes so much to that. Curator: Absolutely. This isn't just looking at art; it's about feeling its pulse, hearing its heartbeat—even if it’s a little unsettling! Editor: It definitely is! Now I’m not sure if I find it oppressive, or maybe…intimate? Curator: Exactly. The beauty of art; a new lens shapes the view and with that, perhaps, a whole new world opens up.