Nieuw / circus / spel 1887 - 1891

This is a color lithograph titled, “Nieuw / circus / spel,” created by S. (II) Warendorf. A spiraling form immediately captures our attention. At first glance, it’s reminiscent of a game board, filled with numbered spaces and playful illustrations of circus acts. The lithograph's formal arrangement revolves around the central spiral, a compositional choice that destabilizes traditional linear narratives. The numbers, arranged in a vortex, challenge the idea of a fixed starting point and ending, creating an open-ended structure. This hints at poststructuralist notions where meaning is not confined. The interplay between text and image further complicates interpretation. The rules and instructions at the upper left, contrast the riot of color and form in the spiral, adding a layer of semiotic complexity. What seems like a simple game board is a visual and conceptual puzzle, inviting us to consider the arbitrary nature of rules and the ever-changing nature of meaning.