New York 38 1978

Aaron Siskind made "New York 38" using photography, and the result is like finding a painting in the world. I wonder what Siskind felt as he framed the image, focusing on shape, texture, and light. It must have been a contemplative, physical act. The wood grain itself is a series of horizontal marks that create a sense of depth and movement, while the triangular wooden element divides the image, creating a dynamic tension. I can imagine him walking around New York, trying to find a way to extract abstract marks from the built environment. Thinking about Siskind's work reminds me how all artists are really just magpies, picking up shiny bits and bobs from the world around them, transforming them into something new. In the end, art is an ongoing dialogue, a constant exchange of ideas across time. We all stand on the shoulders of giants, borrowing and building upon what came before. It's an open-ended conversation.