Letter U c. 16th century

Editor: This is "Letter U", made by an anonymous artist. It looks like a woodcut print, maybe part of a larger text. What do you see in this initial "U," beyond just a letter? Curator: It's a powerful symbol of both unity and division. The "U" itself can represent the collective, "us," but its form also creates a void, a space of exclusion. How might this play into the history of typography and its role in disseminating ideas, both progressive and oppressive? Editor: So, the letter itself isn't neutral? It carries historical weight? Curator: Absolutely. Think about who had access to literacy and printing technologies throughout history. This seemingly simple letter can unlock complex narratives about power and access. It makes you wonder about the unseen labor that went into its creation, doesn't it? Editor: It definitely does. I hadn't considered the social implications embedded within something so small.