Curatorial notes
Curator: What a sweeping vista. The first impression for me is the image’s tonal range: how the warm sepias evoke such an antique atmosphere. Editor: That’s a beautiful point. This photograph, titled “Gezicht op Jeruzalem”, created between 1900 and 1905, presents us with a stunning, turn-of-the-century view of Jerusalem. These early photographs became quite popular at that time due to an intensified interest in the "Orient". Curator: Precisely, this exemplifies the trend of Orientalism that was en vogue; look at how the tight urban construction suggests an exotic locale. Its repetition of form and its almost monochromatic palette, creating a sensation of unity that could easily be mythologized. Editor: The rooftops arrayed against the pale sky— it’s an interesting interplay between architecture and landscape in the picture plane. I am particularly interested in what stories might this place contain as many colonial powers try to get hold of Jerusalem for economical control and social construction. Curator: Right, we can sense this "social construction" here. And consider the act of witnessing and bearing witness: the very composition compels a comprehensive seeing, thus it's an interesting combination of aesthetics with religious or social ideologies of power. Editor: I agree. Considering the vantage point, a high angle looking over the whole area of buildings with its geometry shapes: This image attempts a totalizing vision. It speaks of mastery. Curator: In the end, despite its aesthetic appeal, it cannot but involve ideological control. It subtly projects a Western gaze onto this ancient and very complex land. Editor: Exactly, seeing is not just an aesthetic appreciation, but the way and reason we view. It leads to more careful investigations.
