The Expulsion 

Editor: This woodcut is "The Expulsion" by Hilda Katz. I'm really struck by how chaotic it feels. The sharp, jagged lines create a sense of unease. How do you interpret this work from a formalist perspective? Curator: The piece’s visual organization offers a fascinating entry point. Consider the stark contrast between the black and white spaces. Notice how Katz uses these contrasts not merely to depict form, but to generate a dynamic interplay of positive and negative space. The composition shatters the picture plane into fragmented elements, destabilizing any conventional sense of depth. Editor: So the emotional impact comes from this disruption? Curator: Precisely. Note how the harsh lines and abstract forms of the angels differ radically from the small figures in the lower right. How does this disparity affect the narrative reading? Editor: It makes them seem incredibly vulnerable, overpowered by the unnatural elements of the landscape and the angels above. Curator: And what does that say about the symbolic potential of a landscape expressed in such distorted forms? Does it reflect an inner psychological state as much as an outer environment? Editor: I see what you mean. It’s like the chaos of their internal experience is externalized through the visual language of the woodcut. It's more than just illustrating a story; the medium and composition become the message. Curator: Indeed. Through the rigorous analysis of form and composition, the artist creates an experience for the viewer.