Equivalent 1931

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, Equivalent, probably with a camera and film, although I experience it as an act of mark-making, similar to the application of paint or charcoal on a surface. It's a mysterious dance of light and shadow, where dark, sweeping forms tangle and unwind into a lighter, more ambiguous space above. I can almost feel Stieglitz searching for something, squinting into the viewfinder to find a connection between the world around him and his inner state. The tones might be limited to monochrome, but there's an incredible range of values, from dense charcoal hues to softer, translucent shades. The texture looks like a very liquid wash or glaze, rather than thick impasto. Looking at this artwork, I’m reminded of other artists that I admire, such as Gerhard Richter's atmospheric landscapes, or Vija Celmins' meticulous drawings of night skies and seascapes. These artists offer different perspectives and possibilities for how we perceive, interpret, and represent the world. This image offers the experience of continual conversation among artists through the act of creation.