The Old Pier 1931

This is Adolph J. Kopcak's "The Old Pier," made in the early to mid-twentieth century using a printmaking technique. Look at how he's built this whole world with just marks. It makes me think about how much we can do with so little, you know? It's all in grayscale. The pier in the foreground feels solid, textured by tiny marks. The bridge and city beyond are fainter, like a memory or a dream. The water is alive with little flicks and dashes. I love how the rigid beams overhead are contrasted with the flowing lines of the water. It’s kind of like he’s saying, “Here’s the man-made world, and here’s the natural one, both humming with energy.” There's something about this scene that feels timeless. It reminds me of Charles Sheeler’s more photographic images, but there’s also a gritty, raw quality here that feels unique to Kopcak. Like a quiet poem about the bones of a city.