Andachtsbild #704 1987

Editor: So, this is Christian Eckart's "Andachtsbild #704" from 1987. It’s a sculptural image, with cutouts. The overall feel to me is very architectural; almost like a blueprint or an abstract window. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It’s interesting that you see architecture, because I see the sacred. Eckart's "Andachtsbild," which translates to "devotional image," intentionally engages with religious art traditions, particularly those of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The monochrome field and the void suggest transcendence, prompting questions about representation, faith, and power. In a time when social movements fought for visibility, who has the privilege to occupy and define the "void"? Editor: The connection to devotional images makes sense given the title. I hadn't considered the idea of visibility, though. Is the shape of the outer frame, then, significant to that idea? Curator: Absolutely. Think about the frame not just as a border, but as a gatekeeper. What ideologies shape the exclusion or inclusion of particular narratives within the "sacred" or the mainstream? How can Minimalism, often perceived as neutral, reinforce existing power structures? Is it really neutral, or are there other agendas at work? Editor: So it's prompting a dialogue about who and what gets to be considered 'holy' or important within cultural and societal contexts. It's more political than it looks. Curator: Precisely. It’s not just about the aesthetic experience; it's about questioning the underlying structures of power. It certainly is about that Minimalism’s starkness can amplify exclusion if not examined critically. I find that super impactful, now looking at Eckart’s work. Editor: I now look at it through a totally new lens! Thanks for helping me to see that.