Eerste kantoor van Bennink en Riphagen 1914 - 1919

This photograph of Bennink and Riphagen's first office in Medan, presents a world built from light and shadow. It’s a record, not just of a building, but of a time, a place, and the way someone chose to see it. Look at the texture here. The way the light catches on the wooden planks, the rough edges of the foliage, and the grainy surface of the photograph itself, these elements are crucial. The person standing at the door seems to be framed by the building. The composition is almost like a stage set, with the building taking centre stage. This photograph reminds me of Ed Ruscha’s photographs of buildings, but there’s something more intimate, more personal in this image. Like Ruscha, the photographer seems interested in the aesthetics of the vernacular. Ultimately, art isn't about answers, but about the questions we ask.