Naar de ondernemingen 1931 - 1934

Atelier Kurkdjian made this gelatin silver print, "Naar de ondernemingen," and it captures a world in monochrome. The tones here feel almost like a memory, filtered through time, or perhaps like a painting where the artist has deliberately limited their palette. Look at the way the light catches on the surface of the car, it feels almost sculptural against the surrounding architecture. There’s a stillness in the air, the eye is drawn to the stark contrast between the vehicle and the columns. What's interesting is the texture that comes through despite the medium – the smooth sheen of the vehicle against the rough stone. There's a strong resemblance to the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher here. Their interest in industrial architecture is very similar to the way Kurkdjian has captured the design of the vehicle, creating a kind of detached, typological study. Ultimately, it’s the quiet, contemplative quality of this piece that stays with you.