War: Scrap 2019

Editor: Małgorzata Serwatka’s "War: Scrap," created in 2019 with oil paint, presents such a dense composition of discarded objects! It’s a very textured painting, dominated by cool tones. What stands out to you in terms of its potential meaning? Curator: The first thing that catches my eye is the clock frozen at 10:10 amid the debris. Clocks often symbolize temporality and mortality, but its placement here, surrounded by what appears to be industrial remnants, speaks volumes. It is like a frozen moment, the standstill, a sort of ruin-esque echo, perhaps signaling the stagnation or destruction caused by war, but also a certain human element with recognizable, obsolete objects. Does this resonate with you at all? Editor: Absolutely. It feels like time stopped when all this...stuff... happened. But what's with all the machinery? Curator: Think about what machines often represent: progress, industry, power. Their obsolescence points to the ephemeral nature of such constructs, also referencing war, but here, I believe, Serwatka uses "war" in the title quite broadly. The contrast of modernity fading to ruin is a potent symbol of human endeavors. What emotional effect does it have on you? Editor: A bit unsettling, definitely, and thought-provoking. So much to unpack. Curator: Indeed, its effectiveness resides in juxtaposing mundane items with a weighty theme, forcing us to confront uncomfortable truths about progress, destruction, and memory. Editor: I see that now. It is a powerful statement about the impact of human actions, almost like a modern "memento mori". Thank you for helping me understand this work! Curator: My pleasure. It is through works like this that we engage with critical symbols that challenge our perception of history.