Fotoalbum van Frank Willem van den Berg, 1925-1927 1921 - 1927

This photograph album was made sometime between 1925 and 1927 by Frank Willem van den Berg. It’s a humble, handmade object, and the process of its making is immediately evident. The cover is a sandy, neutral tone, with the name “Frank” lettered vertically in a silvery, almost ghostly font. Next to that is a strip of decorative motifs, printed with a kind of eggplant color. It’s hard to say for sure, but the lettering and the printed strip don't quite align; the fit is awkward. I love that. There’s a very human quality here, a kind of imperfection that speaks to the hand and the eye that made it. It reminds me of the work of Forrest Bess, in that it's very personal and a bit mysterious. Ultimately, I think art is about opening up a space of possibility, embracing those little imperfections, and finding beauty in the unexpected.