Norbert van den Berg bij een lemen huis, vermoedelijk in Transvaal, Zuid-Afrika 1967 - 1971

Editor: We’re looking at a gelatin silver print from between 1967 and 1971. The title is "Norbert van den Berg bij een lemen huis, vermoedelijk in Transvaal, Zuid-Afrika," which translates to "Norbert van den Berg at a mud house, probably in Transvaal, South Africa.” There's a man standing in a doorway with a dog, and there’s a simplicity to the structure that's compelling. What do you see in this image? Curator: I see the potent merging of identities. The thatched roof and whitewashed walls are visually iconic, speaking of the vernacular architecture specific to that region and era. Juxtapose that with Norbert himself, positioned in the doorway. What does that threshold represent to you? Editor: Maybe Norbert is positioned between cultures, bridging his identity with the local setting? Curator: Precisely. Consider the symbolism of the dog as well. Often representing loyalty and connection, it underscores Norbert's engagement with his environment, forming relationships that root him to the landscape. Even the light in the photograph feels symbolic, with Norbert himself slightly in shadow while the foreground in brighter. What kind of impression does this create on you? Editor: I'm drawn to the intimacy. It feels like more than just documentation; there's a narrative about Norbert, belonging, and perhaps a re-framing of his own history. It’s very moving to see how all of those different cultural symbols intersect here. Curator: Indeed, we’ve been granted a rare window into one man’s complex interplay of identity and place, a visual poem etched in silver.