Oefening in Bielefeld 1939

This set of black and white photographs titled 'Oefening in Bielefeld'—or 'Exercise in Bielefeld'—captures scenes around Bielefeld in Germany. It's from an anonymous artist; we can only guess at their process. The layout here is interesting, it feels almost like a study or a set of notes, similar to how an artist might arrange sketches or colour swatches. Each photograph is like a small window offering a different view, yet they're unified by the consistent use of monochrome. Looking at the individual images, I'm drawn to the contrasts within each frame. The stark whites against the deep blacks create a sense of drama, which reminds me a little of the work of someone like Gerhard Richter, not in terms of subject matter, but in the way he uses light and shadow to evoke a mood. It's a reminder that art is an ongoing dialogue. We build on what's come before, reinterpreting it in our own way.