Vliegtuigen 1940 - 1944

Curator: Here we have "Vliegtuigen," or "Airplanes," a photomontage likely created between 1940 and 1944 by an anonymous artist and currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It’s incredibly stark, isn’t it? Four black and white images in this beige, maybe cream-colored frame. The contrast really heightens a sense of isolation or… emptiness. Curator: Indeed. It’s worth considering the socio-political context. The work originates during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Editor: The airplane, even silhouetted and small, always carries associations of power, control... even potential danger. I find that these images speak powerfully of both threat and the desire for liberation. The stark landscape contrasted against images of lone aircraft piercing open skies makes it very evocative. Curator: It is believed that "Vliegtuigen" may have been produced in the context of resistance against the German occupation. Photographic images were often disseminated clandestinely, serving as a quiet act of defiance. What symbols resonate with you most from the piece? Editor: It’s fascinating to consider. The symbolism of flight—escaping oppression, aspiration, freedom. Notice how diminutive the planes are within the expansive sky; that could symbolize individual hopes against the backdrop of the immense challenge faced during wartime. Then, consider the earthbound image which may represent homeland, while alluding to suffering during war time. Curator: Considering it's a photomontage from the 1940s, its understated visual language becomes all the more compelling, hinting at widespread anxieties under occupation while alluding to national perseverance during the period. Editor: Yes, while understated and sparse, the deeper I look the more layers seem to appear to reveal some of the deepest experiences we have, in the most challenging conditions. Curator: Indeed. It’s a hauntingly beautiful example of how everyday visual media, used courageously, can symbolize resistance and a desire for collective redemption in troubled times.