Adagio (G[ustav] M[ahler] X) 1998

This print, Adagio, was made by Karel Demel, who was born in 1942. It's a world of swirling forms, etched in brown ink, with a distinct aura of melancholy. Demel worked with etching, a printmaking process where lines are incised into a metal plate using acid. This labor-intensive process requires a steady hand and a deep understanding of the materials. The fine lines and tonal gradations are evidence of the artist’s mastery, allowing for complex imagery to emerge. You can see the material influence in the work’s textures, which range from smooth surfaces, to almost violently corroded areas. The use of musical scores in the print speaks to the history of reproduction, both manual and mechanical. By integrating the work of Gustav Mahler, Demel blurs the line between original and copy, performance and document. These decisions draw attention to how artistic skill, along with labor and materials, shapes the culture we consume, reminding us of what it takes to make and share an artwork.