Bullet Mold c. 1937

Chester Kluf made this image of a bullet mold, and right away I’m drawn to its simplicity. It's just the tool floating on this pale background. Kluf's choice to isolate the object really invites you to consider its form. The color palette is muted, almost monochromatic, but that makes you focus on the texture. You can almost feel the cool, smooth metal of the mold against your skin. Look closely, and you can see the details – the slight rust, the worn edges. It’s like each mark tells a story of use, of process. I particularly love the way Kluf captures the curve of the mold. It's so elegant, so precise. The way the light hits the metal, creating these subtle gradations of tone. In a way, this piece reminds me of some of the still lifes by Giorgio Morandi, in the way both artists share a fascination with everyday objects. It's like Kluf is saying that art can be found anywhere, even in the tools we use to create.