Kerstfeest bij de Reichsbahn Possibly 1943

Editor: This photograph is titled "Kerstfeest bij de Reichsbahn," possibly from 1943, by an anonymous photographer. It shows what appears to be a Christmas celebration. The images feel so staged, almost sterile, especially considering the historical context. What's your take on this, given your expertise? Curator: For me, the power lies precisely in understanding photography as a *process*. Think about it: photographic materials during wartime Germany, especially for the Reichsbahn - the Reich Railway company, an important arm of logistics, transport. Editor: Right, the actual materiality of creating these photographs speaks volumes. Curator: Absolutely! The labour involved in producing images for propaganda versus personal expression highlights the contrasts within wartime society. These workers appear almost coerced to have 'holiday cheer'. Do you find that their faces exhibit this reality, not joy? Editor: Now that you point it out, I definitely see a strain in their expressions, a certain performativity... the trees feel less like festive adornments and more like stage props. What kind of resources were involved, making photography still relevant for government messaging? Curator: The resources expended on such endeavors show an acute awareness on behalf of the Nazi regime as to photography's role. This isn't only about preserving memories; this is image construction meant for a particular purpose. Also think, too: who was allowed to photograph this 'festive scene,' and, perhaps even more pressing, who would eventually *see* these photographs, in this curated album page, in real life. The materiality tells so much of its own. Editor: So, considering all these components, photography in the right place had the political power of the entire regime behind it. This really challenges my perspective. Thanks for opening my eyes. Curator: The real value arises in exploring and recognizing the tangible roots beneath.