Steel 1920 - 1979

Editor: This intriguing piece is titled "Steel" by Adelyne Cross, dating somewhere between 1920 and 1979. It’s a graphic print, primarily metal and woodcut. I’m struck by the bold contrast and what seems like a focus on labor, but I’m not entirely sure. How do you interpret this work? Curator: I see "Steel" as a powerful commentary on the industrial era. Given its date range, consider the rise of industrialism and its impact on the working class, a period of both progress and immense social upheaval. What does the figure in the background evoke for you? Editor: The figure in the background looks almost like a shadow, carrying something heavy. Perhaps symbolizing the weight of industrial labor? Curator: Precisely. The artist seems to position manual labor against the coldness of steel, a deliberate contrast perhaps alluding to Marxist interpretations of labor and capital. Does the foreground figure, seemingly crafting or inspecting, suggest anything to you about agency or its lack? Editor: I see what you mean! The person in the foreground looks trapped somehow, as if they're merely a cog in a much larger, dehumanizing machine. Curator: The angular, almost aggressive lines in the woodcut underscore this feeling. How might we connect this representation to contemporary conversations about worker’s rights and the human cost of progress? Editor: It's fascinating how relevant it still feels. We continue to grapple with ethical labor practices in a globalized world. Curator: Absolutely. It reminds us to critically examine who benefits from progress and who bears the burden. I'm glad we were able to highlight the continued significance and legacy of these themes. Editor: I totally agree! I’ve never really considered how historical artworks engage in active conversation with today’s sociopolitical problems, this was enlightening.