Boortorens 1903 - 1907

This anonymous photograph presents two towers rising in a dense green landscape. I imagine the photographer, whoever they were, standing in the heat and humidity, lugging all of that heavy equipment, just trying to get the right shot in challenging conditions. The towers themselves are fascinating, they appear to be built from stones or brick and stand in stark contrast to the surrounding foliage. The forms are almost primitive, like early attempts at building something grand, an echo of the Tower of Babel maybe. There's a real tension between the built and the natural environment. In some ways, photography and painting are similar endeavors. Both are about trying to capture a moment, to freeze time, and to convey something about the world we see. This photographer, like a painter, uses light, shadow, and composition to communicate something about this place, its structures, and its landscape. It's a reminder that every artist, no matter their medium, is in conversation with the others, experimenting and pushing the boundaries of expression.