Celebration of the Thousandth Anniversary of the German Reich Possibly 1936 - 1937

This photo, taken by the Associated Press, documents the "Celebration of the Thousandth Anniversary of the German Reich." The image, in grayscale, captures an unsettling atmosphere. The starkness of the black and white adds to the severity of the scene, doesn't it? Look at how the flags dominate the composition, their symbols casting long shadows over the crowd, creating a visual sense of oppression. I wonder what kind of camera they used, what kind of film stock. The texture is grainy, reflecting the limitations of the photography of its time, yet it also adds a layer of grit and reality, as if we're witnessing the event unfold right before our eyes. The blur of the crowd contrasts with the sharp lines of the buildings, emphasizing the frenzied nature of the event. The composition draws the eye towards the center where figures stand on a stage, but the swastikas are unavoidable. As artists, we have to be aware of how symbols can become tools of manipulation. How do we reclaim these symbols for good? How do we challenge the power structures that seek to control our perceptions?