The River’s Edge 2015

Robert Adams made this gelatin silver print, The River’s Edge, sometime in the 20th century. The image explores the quiet drama of monochrome, where tones of gray become a language. It’s less about what is depicted - a beach with driftwood - and more about how the light articulates the textures and forms within the frame. The textures in this photograph are so tactile, you can almost feel the rough bark of the driftwood and the smooth, wet sand. Adams finds the extraordinary in the ordinary, elevating the commonplace to something sublime. Look at the gnarly, jagged edges of the large piece of driftwood in the center. The way the light catches those edges creates a sense of depth and complexity, almost like a miniature mountain range. It reminds me of the stark beauty in the works of Minor White, or even the stark, lonely landscapes of Agnes Martin. Adams invites us into a space of contemplation. There's a balance and a stillness that encourages slow looking and personal reflection, resisting any single meaning.