Ohne Titel (1933)

Karl Wiener’s artwork "Ohne Titel" (Untitled) created in 1933, is a compelling and thought-provoking visual tapestry that encompasses elements of photomontage, often used to explore complex socio-political themes during the period. Encased in an intricate layout of overlapping newspaper clippings, this work presents a striking central figure whose face bears an intense and possibly weary expression, deeply etched with the word "ARBEIT" (work) across the forehead. This powerful imagery likely reflects on the industrial and economic climate of the 1930s.Below this central figure, two mirrored segments combine to form the faces of two women or perhaps the duality of a single woman's public and private personas. These juxtapositions may comment on gender roles, identity, and the societal expectations of women during that era. The fragmented and layered appearance made through the newspaper clippings might symbolize the fragmented state of society and the overload of information—indicative of the turmoil and transition during the post-World War I era leading up to World War II."Ohne Titel" invites viewers to delve into the complex interplay of history, identity, and the socio-economic condition captured through Wiener’s application of mixed media. Each component of the composition holds a narrative frozen in time yet rings relevant to the sweeping currents of change.