Fermenteermachine Possibly 1934 - 1939

This photograph of a ‘Fermenteermachine’ was taken by an anonymous artist. I find the stark industrial subject matter of this photograph so evocative, especially when considering it’s presented on a page within an album, a vessel so often associated with the personal and domestic. The monochromatic palette, heavy with grays and blacks, emphasizes the material presence of the metal. It's all about textures and surfaces, with the diffused light revealing scratches, smudges, and signs of wear. There is a wonderful contrast between the smooth surfaces of the metal and the pitted concrete on which the machine rests. I keep thinking about the human figure, small and off-center, standing by the machine. His inclusion makes the machine seem even more colossal, but also emphasizes the human element in manufacturing. This work resonates with Bernd and Hilla Becher's photographs of industrial structures. They are all interested in the aesthetics of functionality, recording structures with an objective, almost documentary style. What is technology if not a collaboration?