Boekhoud afdeeling 1931 - 1934

Editor: Here we have "Boekhoud afdeeling," a photograph created between 1931 and 1934 by Atelier Kurkdjian. The monochrome and symmetrical composition creates a rather formal, almost staged feeling. What jumps out to you when you look at this piece? Curator: It whispers of bygone eras, doesn't it? A hushed reverence hangs in the air, those figures frozen in the act of…well, bookkeeping! The realism anchors us, yet there's a touch of Art Deco glamour, a subtle wink, in the architectural details. Do you notice how the light almost sculpts the space, adding drama? It feels both candid and utterly constructed. It makes me wonder, what stories do you think these people would tell, if they could step out of the frame? Editor: That's a great way to put it, 'utterly constructed'! I guess I was reading it as just documentary, but now I see it differently. Like it's a stage set. And maybe these workers were chosen carefully to present a certain image. Curator: Exactly! The photographer is composing a narrative, subtly guiding our gaze and shaping our perceptions. And that subtle grandeur of the Art Deco flourishes provides a perfect counterpoint to the supposed "reality" being captured. Perhaps even a little dig at bureaucracy. Don’t you think that's the genius of art - unveiling what isn't immediately seen, while seemingly so simple? Editor: I totally agree! I had originally taken it at face value, but now I see there's more nuance and intention there. I think I understand much better what this photo achieves.