Alf Petersens gloser og bemærkninger til Atta Troll 1930 - 1938

Curator: This piece, titled "Alf Petersens gloser og bemærkninger til Atta Troll," made between 1930 and 1938 by Niels Larsen Stevns, seems to be a collection of notes related to the poem "Atta Troll." It’s composed of drawing, textile, paper, and ink, demonstrating what looks like calligraphy. My first impression is that this notebook page shows the tangible work and intellectual labor involved in understanding and annotating literature. What strikes you about this object? Editor: The materiality. The use of ink on what looks like aged paper creates a strong sense of intimacy, almost like peering into someone's personal study. What does the context of these materials – the paper, the ink – tell us about the artist's process? Curator: That’s an insightful point. The use of relatively inexpensive and readily available materials suggests a focus on the process of knowledge production and dissemination rather than preciousness of the art object itself. Stevns’ choices here demonstrate the availability and cost of resources – this would’ve been more about the functionality, not the aesthetics, or even the legacy. Editor: So, the artist’s economic and social context influenced their choices of medium. Was Stevns then challenging the idea of the "high art" object by prioritizing accessibility and intellectual pursuit? Curator: Exactly. This piece emphasizes the labor of reading, interpreting, and creating meaning. Instead of a finished "artwork", it presents a record of intellectual work, much like craft, where labor is readily visible. The use of textile further suggests an everyday utility, binding these thoughts together for ease of access, possibly in an act of consuming then re-using materials, not unlike how Petersen must’ve consumed “Atta Troll.” Editor: Fascinating. So, it’s not just about the finished product, but about understanding art within the means of its creation, and in terms of Stevns' interaction with the work "Atta Troll.” Thanks! Curator: Precisely. By looking closely at the material conditions and considering the context, we gain insight into the values and the social processes embedded in the work itself.