Untitled (from the series Still Water (The River Thames, for Example)) 1999

Roni Horn's "Untitled (from the series Still Water (The River Thames, for Example))" invites a contemplative gaze through its subtle tonal variations, a testament to the artist's patient observation and photographic skill. The Thames, a subject that's both fluid and ever-changing, is rendered here with an incredible stillness. See how the surface texture, like a skin, bears the memory of movement? The river's surface becomes a mirror reflecting not just light, but also time. Look closely, and you'll notice the circular ripple near the center, like a miniature whirlpool. It's a focal point that draws us into the piece. The work shares something with the photography of Hiroshi Sugimoto. But rather than seriality, the piece embraces the beauty of ambiguity, inviting us to ponder the river's depths, both literal and metaphorical.