Blank 1937 - 1938

Curator: Here we have "Blank," a drawing on paper by Niels Larsen Stevns, created between 1937 and 1938. Editor: It's strikingly subtle. Almost ethereal. I see the faintest traces of images—is that a figure amidst some floral motifs? Curator: Yes, those faint images are crucial. Given the period, the looming specter of war significantly impacted artistic production and consumption. We must consider the role the paper itself plays as both a common, functional material and a site for Stevns's personal artistic exploration. The horizontal lines suggest a ledger, or some other sort of bureaucratic document, now overwritten. Editor: I agree. These weren't just randomly chosen. He's repurposing and subverting their original purpose by layering his own artistic vision. He’s not only pushing the boundaries of what is deemed "art," but he is reclaiming materials associated with societal institutions. Do you agree? Curator: Precisely. Consider the implications of using a mass-produced medium to express subjective creativity. Stevns’s choice elevates what may otherwise be deemed ordinary into the realm of art. But is it intentionally subtle or unfinished? I am wondering about the artistic politics here. Was the incomplete appearance part of a statement, or merely an economic reality? Editor: Perhaps both. Paper was likely more accessible and affordable, especially during this pre-war period. It gave artists a way of developing ideas at little risk while alluding to the larger sociopolitical anxiety prevalent then. We should not discount the historical relevance of materials as carriers of the zeitgeist, the anxiety of the moment. Curator: Absolutely, we see then that this medium itself provides rich insights into the production, distribution and meaning. Thanks to its accessibility, this drawing speaks powerfully on Stevns and his era's socioeconomic climate. Editor: So while appearing simple, “Blank” encourages viewers to actively piece together narratives. Curator: An intentional provocation I think. A piece which compels engagement with its creation and place within the wider world.