De stem der lage landen, nr. 16, 19 mei 1945 Possibly 1945

This is a broadsheet published in Dachau on May 19, 1945, by Jo Vis and others, using what looks like a typewriter. I can imagine the physical act of typing, the pressure of the fingers hitting the keys, the sound of each letter being stamped onto the page. It’s a very different experience than writing on a computer, where the connection to the physical medium is much more distant, right? The information is about the return of Dutch prisoners to the Netherlands, and you can sense the urgency and hope. I imagine Vis and his colleagues, working in a cramped room, maybe by candlelight, trying to get this information out as quickly as possible. They probably felt the weight of responsibility, knowing their words would bring relief and joy to those awaiting news of their loved ones. You can see the mistakes and corrections, evidence of the process. It is a testament to the power of art to communicate, connect, and create meaning in even the most difficult circumstances. In a way, it reminds us that art is not just about aesthetics, but about human connection and survival.