Gezicht op de arena van de Wereldtentoonstelling van 1905 in Luik 1905

This silver gelatin print captures the arena of the World Exhibition in Liège, 1905. The imposing fortress-like structure, complete with crenellations and a central tower, evokes the medieval past. This architectural style, reminiscent of ancient strongholds, was deliberately chosen to inspire feelings of strength and permanence. These fortresses, a motif seen in structures throughout history, from ancient city walls to Renaissance fortifications, carry a weight of cultural memory. In the collective unconscious, they represent protection, power, and the enduring nature of civilization. Yet, here, this symbol of strength is part of a temporary exhibition. This juxtaposition reveals the complex interplay between the desire for stability and the fleeting nature of progress, reminding us that even the most imposing structures are subject to the ravages of time. The arena becomes a stage, the site where aspirations and anxieties play out, echoing through the ages.