Chinese kast met beeldjes 1935

This is a photograph of a Chinese cabinet with figurines, by Elsa Silberstein. The way the light catches the figurines, it’s a study in contrasts. I’m drawn to the surface quality of the photograph. The monochrome emphasizes the textures and patterns within the frame, from the ornate details of the cabinet to the geometric designs of the rug beside it. Notice how the light reflects off the polished surfaces of the figurines. There's a ghostly effect of the figures reflected in the glass. Silberstein is really thinking about interiority here. The composition feels very deliberate, like a carefully arranged still life. It’s not about capturing a fleeting moment, but rather about creating a sense of timelessness and contemplation. This piece reminds me a little of Eugène Atget. Like Atget, Silberstein is interested in the poetics of everyday objects and spaces. Ultimately, art is not about fixed meanings, but about opening up possibilities.