Act II: The Voyage: At last they entered the underground chamber, where the Magician transformed them into a great jewel 1980

Arthur Tress's photograph, "Act II: The Voyage," presents a surreal, staged scene, likely made with collage and photography, that teeters between reality and a dream. The cool palette of silvers and browns creates a theatrical yet unsettling atmosphere, like peering into a forgotten stage set. The metallic objects, juxtaposed against the ornate, printed backdrop, hint at transformation and illusion, a central theme in Tress’s work. The machinery takes center stage, catching the light, but the overall image feels flat, the perspective collapsed in on itself. The pipes and gleaming surfaces seem to morph into something else, becoming both familiar and alien. There's a nod to early surrealist photography, like Man Ray's experiments with light and form, yet Tress adds his unique twist of narrative and theatricality. This piece encapsulates the way art plays with our perception, turning the ordinary into something magical and a little bit strange.