Zuma #11 1978

John Divola made Zuma #11, using photography to capture a moment in time. The palette is limited – charcoals, greys, and whites – but the textures speak volumes about process. There's a tension here between destruction and serenity. The charred remains of the building are stark against the tranquil ocean view through the window, like a painting, where the cool blues and greys of the ocean provide a backdrop to the violence of the blacks, browns and whites of the burned structure. Focus on the window frame, the paint is cracked and peeling. The light seeps through, creating a contrast that's both unsettling and beautiful. It’s a reminder that even in decay, there's a strange kind of beauty. Divola's work reminds me a little bit of Gordon Matta-Clark, with that same interest in architectural interventions. Both artists invite us to reconsider our relationship with the spaces we inhabit and the traces we leave behind. Ultimately, art is about seeing the world in new and unexpected ways.