Proclamatie 1945

This is a proclamation made by the Mayor of Lochem, likely printed shortly after the end of the Second World War. The physical object itself, a piece of paper, is crucial here. Paper is a relatively inexpensive and easily mass-produced material, essential for disseminating information widely. The proclamation’s typography, bold and clear, is also a product of industrialization, likely printed using a letterpress. Consider the labor involved: from the harvesting of raw materials to the operation of the printing press, this object embodies a chain of human effort. The proclamation is not a unique, handcrafted artwork, but a multiple, intended for broad distribution. Yet, this does not diminish its significance. Instead, it highlights the way everyday materials and processes can carry immense social weight, especially in moments of historical importance. It prompts us to consider the relationship between production, communication, and the collective experience of historical events.