Zagreb 1943

Curator: This gelatin-silver print, simply titled "Zagreb," was created by an anonymous photographer in 1943, and is part of the Rijksmuseum collection. Editor: What strikes me immediately is how unassuming it appears at first glance; the image as a whole is presented on the face of what seems to be a page from a photo album, evoking intimate craft. But there is a haunting stillness in those miniature monochrome photographs that arrests my attention, drawing me in to explore further. Curator: Indeed, its arrangement on the album page is carefully considered. The varying orientations of the photographs contribute to the work’s subtle asymmetrical balance; consider the relationships established between the architectural image at the top and the posed portraits at the bottom. There’s a compelling tension set up by these formal relations. Editor: Thinking of the time it was made, I can't help but imagine who created it and for what purpose. Was it for personal use only or a specific patron, for political reasons? The different images, while each with an interesting subject, seem too distinct and scattered to connect narratively. Is it supposed to create an atmosphere that is to relate back to Zagreb during that time, from portraits of its figures to moments of pause in its landscape? It is too complex. Curator: It is worth thinking through the visual semiotics here, though, considering the structural arrangement and symbolic interplay, a sense of order arises out of what might first seem discordant. These are meticulously framed images in a calculated sequence. I sense that this composition has symbolic value. The artist might be trying to subtly subvert viewers’ expectations with images of portraits but arranging it like a scene of landscapes, an exterior of internal conflicts perhaps. Editor: Interesting that you call it a symbolic exterior, what about how personal and labour-intensive producing such gelatin silver prints would be, layering different emulsions onto sheets of film for this intimate but accessible display, from the people to even nature—almost giving humanity to the raw reality of that specific place in time. It goes beyond traditional modes of craftsmanship to become more political. Curator: Perhaps, although such interpretation moves outside the purview of formal structure. The arrangement creates more significance than the isolated imagery. The dialogue sets off the viewer’s emotions from their internal world. It provides a fascinating example of how photography, at its heart, captures those elements of art that continue to inspire and motivate creativity today. Editor: An insightful and compelling synthesis of both the visual and material elements at play, wouldn't you agree? Thank you both for embarking on this discussion with us today.