Rome: Arch of Constantine 5 1967

Aaron Siskind made this photograph, *Rome: Arch of Constantine 5*, with gelatin silver. The way Siskind uses light and shadow in this image reminds me of my own process when I’m building up layers of paint. I start with something vague, then carve into it, find the forms, and let the piece evolve. Looking at the texture, you can almost feel the grit of the ancient stone. Siskind really hones in on the physicality of the subject. See how the light catches the rough surface of the sculpture? It's almost like a map of time. My eye keeps going to the central figure, like a little dollop of clay, softened and eroded by the elements. It’s lumpy and imperfect, yet so full of character, a testament to the endurance of art. Siskind’s close-up approach is reminiscent of Edward Weston, but with an eye for the abstract. Siskind invites us to see the world in fragments, finding beauty in the overlooked details. It’s a reminder that art is an ongoing dialogue.