Leerlingen van Schule Schloss Salem tijdens een skitocht in Unterengadin c. 1929

Editor: This photograph, believed to be from around 1929, captures students from Schule Schloss Salem on a ski trip in Unterengadin. What I find striking is the regimented composition; the boys seem poised, almost like soldiers lined up before battle, contrasting with the lighthearted joy you might expect from a school outing. How do you interpret this image? Curator: This photograph, on first glance, appears rather straightforward. But, when looking deeper, the layering of symbolic meaning unveils itself. A group on the precipice – on skis, yes, but also perhaps on the cusp of adulthood, a new era. The mountain looms, representing challenge and potential spiritual elevation, don't you think? And consider the group dynamic, the shared experience etched on each of their faces. Editor: The shared experience makes sense. The composition and their posture, though... I still struggle to see joy or potential, really. It all feels a bit…controlled. Is it reaching to read into their stances something more restrictive? Curator: The photograph originates from a time of burgeoning nationalism, but even earlier examples illustrate skiing as physical activity and shared pursuit. Observe the faces; some seem almost melancholy, contemplative. Consider that they attended Schule Schloss Salem, founded on specific educational ideals; those ideals will imbue these symbols with additional layers. Do you notice how light interacts with their faces? Editor: I do now that you mention it. It feels almost like a spotlight, drawing out certain figures. So the faces could also tell stories? Curator: Precisely. The light, the landscape, the faces themselves--they contribute to a larger cultural narrative that resonates long after the moment was captured. We begin to decipher history. What’s your sense now? Editor: Thinking about it now, there is less gloom. It’s a stark photograph, capturing a specific moment, loaded with symbolism that reflects a changing era. That definitely alters how I now perceive this photograph. Thank you!