Cologne Beggars II (Kölner Bettler II) 1972

Sigmar Polke made this photo, Cologne Beggars II, but when? I don’t know. The image feels like a document, like a newspaper photo, slightly out of focus, recording something that happened. Two men occupy an urban space. I sympathize with Polke wandering the streets, his camera in hand, curious about people making a living on the edges of society. Polke was always experimenting, pushing the boundaries of what art could be. Did he consider photography a valid art form? Did he like the look of newsprint? He was fascinated by the ways images circulate and how their meanings shift depending on the context. It’s like he’s saying, hey, look at these guys, look at this city, look at the world we’ve made. Think about it. Polke’s work is always in dialogue with other artists. He makes me think about painting and photography. The beggars, the focus, the printing: these are all conversations that echo through time, inspiring artists to see the world anew.