Stroopbordes 1917 - 1938

This is a photograph of Stroopbordes at an unknown date by an anonymous artist. The sepia tone gives this image a documentary feel. The photograph shows a metal structure, maybe some kind of platform, but the beauty of it lies in the crisscrossing supporting beams. There's a lot of geometry at play in this piece, and the artist has made something beautiful out of an everyday scene. It’s like a minimalist sculpture, but the artist isn't trying to hide the labor. In fact, the joins are highlighted by dark fixings. It calls to mind Bernd and Hilla Becher's photographs of industrial structures. They also elevated the banal to create something poetic. Art is all about exchange, it's a conversation across time, and it's a great reminder that you can always find inspiration in unexpected places.