"April 14, 1934" 14 - 1934

This photograph, "April 14, 1934," was taken on that day by an anonymous photographer with a camera and black-and-white film. It's the way the gray scale almost flattens the scene, making everything feel so present and immediate, that really pulls me in. Look at the surface quality, the way light and shadow play, capturing the moment. There is a guy holding a tray of cakes, the cakes are arranged like a grid, and the light coming off them is so lovely. I’m drawn to the texture that has been created by the grain of the film. It's this feeling, almost like a memory, where the details become hazy but the emotional truth feels so clear. The photograph reminds me of the work of artists like Gerhard Richter, who also play with capturing and distorting photographic images. Ultimately, like all great art, this photograph embraces ambiguity. We are not given all the answers, and it’s up to us to bring our own experiences and interpretations to the piece.