Krantenknipsel uit archief Philip Zilcken Possibly 1904 - 1912

This anonymous newspaper clipping, “Krantenknipsel uit archief Philip Zilcken,” lives at the Rijksmuseum, a found object with no date attached. I’m immediately drawn to the texture, the way the paper has aged and folded, acquiring a history through touch and time. This piece reminds us that art isn't just about what's consciously created, but also about what's found and transformed by circumstance. The tight columns of French text press against each other, like crowds in a busy Parisian street. Each word, once vibrantly new, has faded slightly, softened by age, much like memory itself. There's a tension between the legibility of the text and the overall sense of abstraction that the aging process brings. I’m struck by the way the edges of the paper have frayed. To me, this speaks to the fragility of information, how easily stories can be lost or altered over time. It’s a reminder of how fleeting moments are, even those captured in print. Think about Kurt Schwitters, who made art from what others would throw away - this piece resonates with that spirit.