Nr 20 2020

Armin Andreas Pangerl made this drawing, Nr 20, on paper using ink. It’s hard to be sure what kind of ink, but the consistency of the lines suggests a simple fiber-tipped pen. The composition looks to be built up methodically, line by line. There is a lot of implied labor here, in the careful rendering of architectural forms and symbolic devices. Pangerl has left us a record of his making process. It is interesting to consider the labor involved in this work. The drawing is not a traditional form of craft, but there are certainly many hours of work involved, and the result is a complex composition. We might also consider the social context of the work. Given the text included, it seems to reflect themes of urban life, social commentary, and personal reflection. The labor is as much intellectual as it is manual. Ultimately, this work challenges us to think about the value of labor, and what it means to create something beautiful and meaningful in a world dominated by mass production.