Jonge leerlingen van Hermannsberg, een nevenvestiging van Schule Schloss Salem, tijdens een uitvoering in de openlucht c. 1929

This small, anonymous photograph captures students from Hermannsberg, part of Schule Schloss Salem, performing outdoors, and it invites a kind of whimsical seeing. The scene is presented in shades of sepia, lending it a timeless quality that reminds us of artmaking as an ongoing process, each work a moment in a long conversation. The texture of the photograph itself is smooth, yet the subject matter brims with material interest. The giant fish-like figure, made of what looks like fabric, contrasts with the natural texture of the grass and foliage. The physicality of the medium—photography—captures the physicality of the performance, allowing us to almost feel the weight and texture of the prop. Look closely at the eye of the figure; the way it is rendered gives the creature a slightly crazed, yet undeniably captivating expression. This detail brings a sense of life and immediacy to the piece, hinting at the improvisational and collaborative nature of the performance. I am reminded of the surreal playfulness in the work of artists like Joan Miró. Like his paintings, this photograph embraces ambiguity and multiple interpretations, inviting us to bring our own stories and feelings to the artwork.