Fractur 1935 - 1942

Elmer Kottcamp made this Fractur, sometime before 1971 using ink and watercolor on paper. Can you imagine him, quietly, carefully drawing the looping lines and bold lettering, filling them in with subtle washes of color? I feel a connection to Kottcamp’s patient, thoughtful process. What was he thinking? Was he trying to emulate an earlier style or invent something new? The reds and blues pop against the pale ground, giving the piece a folk-art feel. The lettering has this incredible presence, filling the space with meaning, even if we can’t quite decipher it. You know, looking at this work makes me think about all the artists throughout history who've played with text and image. From illuminated manuscripts to concrete poetry, there's this ongoing conversation about how words and pictures can dance together. And here, Kottcamp is right in the thick of it, adding his own voice to the mix.