“Merkel” is the first work the viewer encounters upon entering the room dedicated to the German print press. Positioned in the gallery’s front window, it becomes the first visual and conceptual moment of the exhibition, inviting reflection on the power of media imagery in shaping political discourse.

The work is based on an original page from the July 2014 edition of Die Welt newspaper, featuring Angela Merkel’s position on Russia’s invasion of Crimea. This document places the work in a historically charged political context, where words and images become witnesses to critical public debates.

One of the most striking elements of “Merkel” is its dual presentation. From outside the gallery, the viewer sees the double page of Welt, carefully cut with geometric precision, highlighting Merkel’s bust and face, along with the headline that conveys her political stance – reminiscent of a comic book speech bubble.

In contrast, the back of the page is visible from within the exhibition space, painted entirely in red. This chromatic play makes the work stand out against the gallery’s facade. The contrast is in keeping with the dominant aesthetic of the space and could symbolize the intensity and passion inherent in political discourse.

By transforming a newspaper document into an artistic object, “Merkel” invites us to question how official narratives are constructed and – as suggested by other works in this phase using intricately cut newspapers – to reconsider how the press shapes our collective perception of reality.