Erinnerungsspur--Statische Vibration (Memory's Trace--Static Vibration) Possibly 1978 - 1979

Dieter Appelt made this gelatin silver print, "Erinnerungsspur--Statische Vibration" which translates to "Memory's Trace--Static Vibration," without a date. The greyscale image shows a close-up of a head, maybe a sculpture, covered in something, and then held aloft by what seems to be a crude wooden structure. It's unclear if the head is resting on or emerging from the construction. What might Appelt have been thinking? The image evokes something ancient, unearthed perhaps, speaking of memory, and the passage of time. The stark black and white tones feel heavy, weighty. The grainy texture reminds me that all surfaces are in a state of constant flux and change. Like Appelt, I’m interested in how artists have always spoken to one another through their work. It’s a conversation across generations, styles, and places, where we learn from each other, steal from each other, and push each other to see the world in new ways. Artists embrace ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations and meanings.