Faces #10 1998

Vibeke Tandberg made this photograph, Faces #10, using the tools of her time, a camera and photographic paper. But don’t let the apparent simplicity fool you; the photographic process itself is deeply intertwined with the history of both industry and art. Consider the paper: its texture, its chemical composition, and its journey from raw materials to the final, light-sensitive surface. Each stage involves labor, resources, and technology, reflecting a complex web of production and consumption. Then consider the darkroom process, each step a careful manipulation of light and chemistry. The artist coaxes the image into being, making choices about exposure, development, and printing. The end result appears effortless, a fleeting moment captured in time. Yet, behind it lies a history of materials, processes, and human intention. In Tandberg's work, photography is not just about capturing reality, but about engaging with the very stuff that images are made of. And that should prompt us to consider the world around us.