17363 („Ich bin ein Holunder Männchen …“) 1932

This collage, made by John Elsas, probably around the 1930s, uses paper, glue, and ink to create a world out of simple shapes. There's a real sense of play here. I mean, look at how the artist builds up the little man from irregular scraps of colored paper. It’s like he’s saying, "Here’s what I’ve got, let’s see what happens." The materiality of this piece is everything. You can almost feel the texture of the paper, the slight variations in its surface, the way the colors might subtly shift in the light. This is not about hiding the process; it's about making the process visible, tangible. The whole form is constructed on top of a brick wall and above some hand written text - perhaps a poem or letter. The violet shadow falling from his leg is a particular joy. I’m reminded of artists like Kurt Schwitters or Hannah Höch, who also found freedom in collage. It’s as if they're reminding us that art is not about perfect representation, but about finding new ways of seeing and being in the world.