Wandbespanning 1911 - 1915

Editor: Here we have Chris Lebeau's textile, "Wandbespanning," created between 1911 and 1915. The repeating patterns have a rather soothing, almost meditative quality to me. How do you interpret this work, considering its time and the imagery? Curator: Indeed. Notice the verticality, the way the patterns ascend like growing things. For me, the repeated motifs suggest an aspiration towards nature, typical of the Art Nouveau, but with a restrained hand. It reminds me of ancient Egyptian art, particularly the lotus and papyrus motifs used in columns and friezes. What emotional associations might these historical symbols evoke in a viewer of the time, do you think? Editor: A connection to nature and maybe a sense of timeless beauty? Curator: Precisely. The subtle repetition almost works as a type of cultural echo, reminding us of these enduring images across millennia, adapted into a contemporary design for interior spaces. There’s a connection here between domesticity, art, and a sense of cultural memory. Do you think that relationship stands true today? Editor: That’s a good point. The connection is more subtle these days, isn't it? It's almost hidden within the layers of symbolism. I learned a lot about symbols as cultural artifacts and cultural memory. Curator: Excellent! We all did!