Balcony, the 1986

Curator: Branko Bačanović's mixed-media graphic poster from 1986, titled "Balcony, the," offers a bold visual statement. Editor: Immediately, the raw materiality jumps out. The stark blocks of color—red, black, yellow—and the heavy lines suggest a screen printing process. It’s rough and unapologetic. Curator: The piece makes you reflect on the visual language of revolution. The figures, particularly on the left side, strongly echoes "Liberty Leading the People", although stripped down and fragmented, retaining the bare breasts as the image of an allegory. Note also how the flag is replaced by some rifle and torch like elements, maybe referring to socialist revolutionary iconography? Editor: Yes, I see it in that historical context as well, but it’s also got a strong sense of graphic design purpose for me. The overlay of text directly onto the image— the names, the title of the play "balkon"— these feel intrinsic to the whole construction rather than applied later as it used to be done with regular painting. Curator: The use of these intense colors enhances the symbolic charge. Red, of course, signifies passion, revolution, power, and a vital force, here contrasted with yellow. Black silhouettes further create tension. Do you find any connections with a cultural background of this poster? Editor: Possibly referencing a strong call to arms to some Eastern European revolutionary group from before the era; although its medium, a play poster, speaks to a consumerist society now separated from conflict as commodity for popular entertainment. The mixed media, perhaps, could incorporate collage techniques, with letterpress printing on the black portions. You also got names from theater performers…I imagine a vibrant labor scene producing these works. Curator: Exactly, looking deeper in history provides meaning of a call for change, but by integrating it into mass culture as promotional material transforms its revolutionary energy into cultural product. I think it tells a very rich visual story. Editor: Absolutely! From the texture to the socio-political references, there's so much to dig into on this surface. It is clear and loud while maintaining a simple quality.