Tentoonstelling door de Nederlandsche Bond van Gemeente-Ambtenaren te Amsterdam 1906 1906

This bronze medal was made for the Nederlandsche Bond van Gemeente-Ambtenaren exhibition in Amsterdam, 1906. It's easy to think that the history of medals is set in stone, but looking closely at this piece reminds you that the form is pliable, changeable. I love how the artist combines text and image on both sides. It's as if they're thinking about how to communicate on a small scale, working with the material to press information into a coin-sized space. The oak leaves feel so alive, wrapping around the rectangle like they are bursting out of their border. The details are pretty amazing. Think about how the artist used light and shadow to make the forms pop. This medal is a reminder that even the most functional art can be a space for play, experimentation, and pure visual joy. I feel this could be something Eduardo Paolozzi would be interested in.