75V12 Possibly 1973 - 1993

John Divola captured this gelatin silver print, "75V12," revealing an interior marked by cryptic graffiti. The stark, white symbols daubed upon the wall evoke ancient alphabets, perhaps runes or forgotten languages, imbued with hidden meanings. The dripping paint lends a sense of urgency, a message attempting to break through from the subconscious. This act of marking a surface, of leaving a trace, echoes throughout history, from cave paintings to medieval stonemasons' marks. Consider the recurrence of the cross-like symbol—a motif that predates Christianity, representing intersections, choices, and even cosmic balance. Its persistent reappearance suggests a collective human drive to understand our place in the world, a visual shorthand for complex ideas passed down and transformed across cultures. Such symbols tap into a primal psychological space, resonating with us on a level that transcends rational understanding. These recurring symbols show us the cyclical nature of human expression. They transform and reappear, echoing through time, reminding us of the enduring power of images to carry and transform cultural memory.