They Calculate 1964

Sid Hammer made this intaglio print, "They Calculate," in 1964. The intaglio process involves incising an image into a metal plate, applying ink, and then using a press to transfer the image onto paper. The material qualities of this print – the stark contrast between light and shadow, and the delicate lines – are very much a product of the intaglio process. Hammer used these qualities to great effect, creating a visually arresting image that is both representational and abstract. The cityscape in the background is rendered with a fine level of detail, while the figures in the foreground are more loosely defined. Hammer was interested in the human condition, and in the way that people interact with their environment. "They Calculate" seems to point to the alienation and dehumanization that can result from living in a modern, industrialized world. The choice of printmaking, with its potential for mass production, underscores this theme. In the end, it's a potent reminder that even the most technical processes can convey profound social commentary.