Zetterij van de Deli Courant te Medan 1903 - 1908

This photograph, 'Zetterij van de Deli Courant te Medan,' was taken by an anonymous artist. There’s a mesmerizing quality to old photographs, isn’t there? The way they distill an entire world into a single, monochromatic frame. In this image, it is the arrangement of wooden blocks that stand out. They speak of the tangible, physical labor that goes into the making of something—anything. The muted tones and soft focus are like a veil, obscuring the details while simultaneously inviting us to fill in the gaps with our imagination. You can almost hear the rhythmic clatter of the printing press. Thinking about how one image can speak to another across time, I'm reminded of Bernd and Hilla Becher's photographic series of industrial structures. Like those of the Bechers, this image transforms the functional into something strangely beautiful. The conversation of art is ongoing.