Optocht door de straten 1936 - 1939

This is a photo of a parade by Berti Hoppe, which appears to have been glued into a scrapbook. The whole thing has a somber, serious, almost military feel, but when I look at the parade participants, I see more hesitation and uncertainty than strength. Their suits are ill-fitting and their faces are obscured by shadow. I imagine the artist asking, “what does it feel like to be a small person in a big event? What does it mean to be swept up into a spectacle?" Maybe the viewers in the picture also share that perspective. They observe from behind windows, waving tiny flags in muted unison, as if only pretending to celebrate. I have the feeling that there is a story of doubt here. Maybe Hoppe is encouraging us to see ourselves in the position of both the observers and the observed. Art can be like that, a constant and ever-evolving feedback loop.