Paris 1935

Editor: This is Cassandre's "Paris," a photomontage poster from 1935. I’m struck by its elegant composition. The arch frames the Eiffel Tower in the distance, creating a sense of depth. What do you see in this piece, beyond just a travel advertisement? Curator: I see a carefully constructed narrative about power, identity, and aspiration, particularly in the context of 1930s Europe. The stark lines and simplified forms are classic Art Deco, but they also speak to the rise of industrialization and mass tourism. Note how the arch, a symbol of triumph and entry, frames a very particular view of Paris: monumental, almost sterile. Editor: Sterile? I wouldn't have used that word. Curator: Consider the composition again. The figures are small, almost insignificant, against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower. It's as though the poster is suggesting that the individual is less important than the grandeur and monumentality of the city, particularly if it's framed by the railways and advertised with this monumental aesthetic. Doesn't it prompt thoughts about nationhood and the allure of modernity? The doves, meant to represent peace and freedom, could ironically be seen as reinforcing the sense of a powerful, unyielding state. What do you make of that tension? Editor: I guess I hadn't thought of it that way. It’s not just a pretty picture, but a reflection of the social and political climate. Thanks, that gives me a lot to consider. Curator: Precisely. It is a reminder that even seemingly simple images carry complex and multifaceted ideologies. It is how advertising is often intertwined with cultural representation and aspiration, both historically and in contemporary society.