Gezicht op de Sint-Remigiuskerk te Steenderen 1905

This photograph of the Sint-Remigiuskerk in Steenderen, was probably made with a large format camera, which is why the image is so detailed. The tones are muted, giving the image a timeless quality, but also emphasizing the materials that make up this imposing structure. The surface texture of the brickwork is so clear, you can almost feel the roughness of the stone. It really speaks to the idea of building as a process, and reminds us how buildings are always being made and remade. Note how the scaffolding dominates the lower part of the tower, and this relates to the architecture, both formally and metaphorically. It makes me think of Bernd and Hilla Becher, with their documentary approach to industrial architecture. There’s a similar sense of objectivity here, but maybe with a warmer touch. Ultimately, photographs like this remind us that everything is under construction – buildings, societies, even art itself. There's a conversation happening across time, and we're all invited to join in.