Groepsreis vanuit Weltevreden c. 1935 - 1936

These three unassuming silver gelatin prints, made at an unknown time by an anonymous artist, show a "Groepsreis vanuit Weltevreden," or a group trip from Weltevreden. The monochrome palette throws all the emphasis onto the composition and the relationships between the figures. The photographs are presented with no hierarchy within a larger field that has been rendered to show the material qualities of the page. This allows the viewer to concentrate on details and to appreciate the process of seeing itself. The top left photograph is particularly affecting; a large group of people, all dressed in similar outfits, stand together in a row and look to the camera. You can tell that the photograph has been physically adhered to the page. It's a small detail but this allows me to feel the care that went into producing this intimate image, while the anonymity of the artist invites us to reflect on our own experiences. Like Gerhard Richter's "Atlas," this album is a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation, and there's always room for new voices to join the chorus.