Chatham, Massachusetts 1937

Dorothy Norman made this photograph, "Chatham, Massachusetts," sometime in the twentieth century. It’s incredible how a black and white photograph can capture such a surreal scene. It looks like something out of a dream. The photograph is dominated by an enormous hand sculpture, seemingly made of metal, maybe silver. It's hard to tell if it is a found object or if it was a sculpture made by an artist; either way, it's a fascinating object, as it’s a bit rough around the edges. The light reflecting off the surface creates subtle variations in tone, emphasizing its three-dimensional form. Right next to the hand, there’s an angel playing a trumpet, which adds to the dreamlike quality of the image. The electric wires in the background add another layer of reality to this surreal scene. It reminds me of the work of Man Ray, who also played with surrealism and photography. This photograph invites us to embrace the unexpected and see the world with a sense of wonder.