Aanleg van de weg door vlak land 1903 - 1913

This photograph, Aanleg van de weg door vlak land, captures a road being constructed through flat land. Imagine the artist, or the photographer in this case, standing in this space, observing the road builders at work, framing the composition, and waiting for the right moment to capture the image. The tones of the photograph are subdued, mostly greys and browns, but that’s what gives it a kind of dreamlike feeling. The road cuts through the center, flanked by tall grasses, and a small vehicle stands in the distance. I feel that they're trying to capture the scale of the landscape. I think of other artists who’ve been interested in depicting the impact of human industry, like the Bechers who photographed industrial structures, or even someone like Agnes Martin who captured the immensity of landscape. Each in their own way are attempting to understand the relationship between humans and the world they inhabit. I think making art is all about opening up that kind of conversation.