Strand en Frankrijk 1940 - 1943

This is a page from an anonymous photo album, called ‘Strand en Frankrijk’ which means ‘Beach in France’ in English, the date is unknown. Look at this page with its collection of black and white photographs laid out on the grey page. The composition is dynamic, a collection of moments. Each photograph captures a different scene—a group of soldiers, the wake of a boat, a signpost beside a river. The rough edges of the prints give it a material quality, a sense of being handled and looked at repeatedly. I keep coming back to the wake of the boat. The churning water is an exciting blur, like a gestural brushstroke. It is a perfect contrast to the stillness of the soldiers on the beach. Together, the images weave a network of connections and create a visual dialogue. It makes me think of Gerhard Richter's ‘Atlas’ project, where he collected and arranged photographs to explore new ways of seeing and thinking about the world. Like Richter, this anonymous artist reminds us that art is not just about making but also about seeing, collecting, and arranging.