Waterval, vermoedelijk in Transvaal, Zuid-Afrika 1967 - 1971

Editor: Here we have Willem Jacob van den Berg’s black and white photograph, "Waterval, vermoedelijk in Transvaal, Zuid-Afrika," which translates to "Waterfall, presumably in Transvaal, South Africa," dated between 1967 and 1971. The roaring water creates an immense feeling of dynamism. How do you interpret this work in the context of its time and location? Curator: The dynamic imagery of the waterfall speaks volumes, doesn't it? Consider water as a recurring symbol across cultures. It represents purification, renewal, the flow of life itself. Now, think about South Africa in the late 60s. What cultural narratives might Van den Berg be tapping into, consciously or unconsciously, by choosing this powerful subject? Is it about washing away the past, embracing a powerful, almost uncontrollable force, or perhaps acknowledging the enduring power of nature in a time of significant social and political change? Editor: I hadn’t considered that it could represent broader social changes. It seemed such a straightforward depiction. Curator: And that's the beauty of visual symbols. Their meanings aren’t fixed, but layered. What does the black and white medium evoke for you? Does it perhaps add a sense of timelessness, or even detachment, to this depiction of raw natural power? Editor: It makes me think about documentary photography, and truth, which I guess is challenged by how anything can be symbolic. Curator: Precisely. The tension between the objective record and subjective expression is fertile ground for artistic interpretation. Editor: So, a photograph of a waterfall in the late 60s South Africa could represent renewal or a potent and potentially destructive force? Curator: Indeed, and the power resides in its ambiguity. Perhaps by not assigning it a specific symbolism, he allows the photograph to resonate in various ways. It can be read in terms of individual identity as well as on a more collective level. Editor: This perspective provides me with such new food for thought. Thank you for illuminating that for me. Curator: My pleasure, the pleasure is all mine! It seems that sometimes symbols gain traction through popular usage as cultural phenomena over the course of time.