Cadetten-almanak 1906

Editor: This is an open copy of the "Cadetten-Almanak," a print on paper from 1906, made by Naamloze Vennootschap Bredasche Boekh. It’s interesting to see a printed almanac. How should we consider a functional object like this as art? Curator: Look at the paper itself. Its age and texture tell a story about material scarcity and production methods of the time. Was it mass-produced or handmade? This influences how we understand the consumption of knowledge in that era. Consider the cost and labour involved. Editor: That's true, I hadn’t considered the economic context. Does the typography play a role in this materiality? Curator: Absolutely! The choice of "thick font" and layout is deliberate. Typography becomes a material choice. How does this design reflect or subvert existing hierarchies within academic art and military culture? Does it attempt to democratize knowledge through its format? Editor: I see, so it's not just the aesthetic, but what it represents in terms of accessibility and social standing. Curator: Exactly. And who was consuming it? Cadets, presumably. How did its creation and consumption shape their understanding of the military, of themselves? It’s crucial to investigate the modes of making and the cultural function the "Cadetten-Almanak" performed. Editor: So, viewing it through a materialist lens helps to understand the social context of even seemingly simple printed works. Thanks, I’ve learned a lot. Curator: And I am glad for the reminder that even everyday objects can reflect deep social and material histories!