Pathologische anatomie 1929

This is a black and white photograph of a dissected body, its pathological anatomy, by the Hospitaal Batak Instituut. Looking at it, I imagine the artist thinking about how the insides of our bodies reflect our outsides. I wonder if they felt like they were revealing a hidden landscape? The textures in the image are so evocative, like the gnarled bark of a tree, or the tangled roots of a plant. The artist uses light and shadow to emphasize the depth and complexity of the tissue, making it feel almost sculptural. The clinical gaze meets an artistic sensibility and offers a fascinating way of seeing and experiencing the world. It reminds me of other artists like Kiki Smith who probe the body’s interior. All artists are in conversation with each other, building on ideas, experimenting with new approaches, and offering new ways of seeing.