Schubi and Me 1948

Editor: Ilse Bing’s “Schubi and Me,” taken in 1948, is a gelatin silver print depicting, from what I can see, the artist's shadow with two dogs. The scene is urban and candid, with the blurred effect of the dogs hinting at movement. What’s particularly striking is the contrast of light and shadow—but what meaning do you draw from this striking photograph? Curator: What an evocative image. It is almost dreamlike! Looking at the interplay of shadow and substance here, one cannot help but delve into the symbolic. Shadows often represent the hidden or subconscious aspects of ourselves. Bing cleverly uses her own shadow to insert herself into the narrative, but also to obscure and abstract her presence. Do you see what I mean? Editor: Absolutely, there is a sense of her presence and absence simultaneously. The blurred dogs, too, almost ghostly, contribute to that feeling. The ladder beside the wall, does it suggest a potential for upward movement, perhaps towards self-understanding? Curator: Precisely! Ladders in art can signify ascension, whether spiritual or intellectual, but also a struggle for attainment. Considering this was taken in 1948, post-war, one wonders if the ladder symbolizes a striving for a new beginning, or perhaps the lingering climb out of a darker past. Even the texture of the wall adds layers of meaning, its rough surface hinting at resilience. Bing isn’t just capturing a moment; she is embedding it with potent visual language. Editor: I had not considered how much the wall itself contributed to the image's overall effect, and thinking of the timing after the war it really enriches it. It makes you wonder what "Schubi" the dog saw and felt at the time, and that the shadow of Bing might be comforting. This was fascinating; thank you! Curator: Indeed. Reflecting on the continuity of presence amid shifting circumstances—isn't that photography's most profound ability? Thank you for sharing that moment of insight.