Genius Loci 2019

Eckart Hahn's painting presents us with a knotted rope under the watchful gaze of a small ape, all rendered against a striking orange backdrop. Hahn's art often explores themes of control and constraint, prompting us to consider who is bound and who is the binder. Made in Germany, this image invites associations with the nation's complex history of industrialisation, colonialism, and the scientific pursuit of knowledge. Is the artist commenting on the complicated relationship between humanity and the natural world? Or is he perhaps interested in the legacy of scientific experimentation that has historically objectified animals? The title, "Genius Loci," suggests the presence of a guarding spirit, but is this spirit trapped, or in control? As art historians, we might look to studies of post-colonialism, animal studies, or the history of science to better understand the cultural context. The meaning of Hahn’s art is thus deeply contingent on its position in time and place.