Zangers 1965

Rein Dool created this monochromatic work titled ‘Zangers’, or ‘Singers’ with chalk on paper. Dool was born in 1933, and came of age during a period of immense social change and cultural upheaval. His work often reflects a concern with social issues and the human condition. In ‘Zangers’, the open mouths and contorted expressions of the figures evoke a primal scream. The figures, a man and a woman, are cropped closely, which intensifies the emotional impact of the piece. Their performance seems to be less about creating harmony and more about expressing raw emotion. In post-war Europe, where traditional social structures were being questioned, this could be seen as a metaphor for the unbridled expression of emotions and identities. Dool captures a moment of intense emotion, reflecting broader societal shifts toward individualism and personal expression. It reminds us that within the act of collective singing, there is also the potential for individual voices to emerge, challenge, and transform.