Pattern of the City 1943

Editor: This is Lawrence Kupferman's "Pattern of the City," created in 1943. It's a print, and I'm struck by how its geometric abstraction feels both futuristic and rooted in the Art Deco style. What strikes you most about it? Curator: I’m particularly interested in the material conditions of its production. Consider the time it was made, during the height of World War II. Rationing, resource scarcity – these factors would’ve profoundly shaped Kupferman’s access to materials. What kind of labor would have been required to make this kind of print, with such details? How might it contrast with pre- or post-war printmaking? Editor: That's a great point; the limitations likely influenced the artistic choices. The printmaking process itself is very labour-intensive. But beyond that, what do you make of the subject matter, the city? Curator: I read the city not just as a subject but also as a product. Look at the way the architecture is represented, the emphasis on geometric forms and repeated patterns. Kupferman’s abstraction could be interpreted as a critique of the industrial processes that shaped urban landscapes. It raises questions about how materials are extracted, manufactured, and consumed to create these monumental structures. Are they functional, beautiful or something else? Editor: So you're seeing the artwork as a commentary on industrialization through its depiction of the city and the physical act of creating the print itself. That gives a whole new meaning to it. Curator: Precisely. It's about understanding the social and material forces that underpin artistic creation and representation. Think about the engraver, the ink maker, the paper source—each element tells a story. Editor: I never really thought about those processes that deeply before, but examining the materials definitely adds another layer of understanding to this print. Thank you.