Vortograph 1917

Alvin Langdon Coburn made this photograph titled Vortograph, with who knows what, when exactly, but it doesn't really matter, does it? The point is, it’s right here! Check out how the light and dark tones crash into each other, creating these jagged, crystalline shapes. It’s like looking into a kaleidoscope, or maybe a dream about skyscrapers. Coburn called these photographs vortographs, as they were the visual equivalent of vorticism, the early 20th century art movement. Look closely at the top right corner, where the black lines are sharp and defined. These contrast with the softer, blurred shapes in the center. It’s like the image is both coming into focus and dissolving at the same time. I can't help but think about the cubists when I see this, like Picasso or Braque. They were also interested in breaking down forms and showing multiple perspectives at once. Art is just an ongoing conversation, isn't it?