At Mr. Boerner's Hong Kong 1908

This photograph, "At Mr. Boerner's Hong Kong" by Geldolph Adriaan Kessler is a fascinating document, and perhaps a family photo, presented in two sizes. It's like looking at a memory that's been filtered through time and different lenses, almost as if the artist is exploring the possibilities of how we see and remember. The textures in this image are muted but telling. The soft gradations of light create a sense of depth, while the crisp edges of the subjects add clarity. It’s almost as if the artist is trying to make sense of the scene, exploring the different ways in which we can capture a moment in time. There is a very defined line between the light patio and the lush garden where the people are positioned. It reminds me of early Gerhard Richter, whose blurred photographs challenge the nature of memory and perception. Art is always a conversation across time, after all. It embraces the blurry edges of what we see and what we think we know.