Optocht NSB 1936 - 1937

This photograph, Optocht NSB, of a procession was made by an anonymous artist. The restricted grayscale palette gives it a documentary feel, but it also evokes a sense of the past, like faded memories. What really gets me about this photograph is how its surface seems to absorb light, creating a tactile presence. The grainy texture, almost like brushstrokes, adds an element of chance and imperfection, emphasizing the human touch behind its making, while lending it a sense of authenticity. Look at the way the figures in the foreground seem to emerge from the shadows, their faces caught in a fleeting moment of light and shadow. The photograph reminds me of Gerhard Richter's blurred paintings from photographs. This photograph invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between documentation and interpretation, history and memory, reminding us that even the most seemingly objective images are shaped by subjective perspectives.