Laadbak met betonijzer 1921 - 1922

K.J. John made this intriguing, undated photograph, titled 'Laadbak met betonijzer'. The image is almost monochromatic, like a faded memory. The mass of reinforcing steel bars dumped in a boat gives a feeling of organized chaos. I’m drawn to the texture – the rough, rusty metal of the boat contrasts with the smooth, linear quality of the steel rods. Look at how the bars are stacked, each one slightly askew, creating a dense, almost abstract pattern. It’s a bit like a drawing in three dimensions, reminiscent of the early minimalist sculptures of Carl Andre, but with a raw, industrial edge. The photograph captures a moment in time, a pause in the construction process. It reminds me that art doesn't always have to be about beauty. Sometimes, it can be about the beauty of work, the aesthetics of industry, and the unexpected poetry of everyday objects.