Five Knives 1935

Walker Evans made this photograph of five knives sometime in his career. It's a study in form, a play of light and shadow on metal. Look at the textures Evans coaxes out of these objects. Each blade has its own story etched into its surface. The metal appears almost tactile, with subtle gradations suggesting wear and use. I'm drawn to the central knife, which branches into two semi-circular blades at the bottom; it’s such an odd, eccentric form! The light glints off the metal, revealing pitting and imperfections that speak to the knife's history. Evans captures these utilitarian objects with the same detached curiosity that Bernd and Hilla Becher would later apply to industrial structures. There's no judgement here, just a quiet observation. It's like Evans is saying, "Look at this. Isn't it interesting?" And it is.