The artwork “Halved Felt Cross with Dust Image Magda” by Joseph Beuys, created between 1960 and 1965, is a figurative piece that belongs to the Neo-Dada art movement. It is a collage that incorporates materials such as metal, dust, felt, nails, paper, and wire, measuring 108 cm by 68 cm. Currently, it is housed in the Museum Ludwig located in Cologne, Germany.
The artwork presents a juxtaposition of textures and materials, characteristic of Beuys’ experimental style. The central element of the composition is a lengthy piece of grey felt, cut in such a way that part of it forms a cross silhouette, indicative of the title’s reference to a “Halved Felt Cross.” Adjacent to this felt, there is a framed piece that contains a paper with a dust image on it, hinting at the ephemeral and elemental aspects evoked by dust. Furthermore, a small object resembling a medical cross or emblem dangles from the felt, possibly alluding to themes of healing, which Beuys often explored. These different elements are arranged against a dark background, lending a sense of depth and contrast to the materials’ textures.
Beuys’ use of unconventional materials creates an interplay between the tactile qualities of the felt, the accumulated particles of dust, and the solidity of the metal elements. This assemblage may provoke contemplation about the interconnectedness of organic and industrial components, while also possibly offering a social or political commentary in line with the purposeful ambiguity of Neo-Dada works.
