Na afloop van de optocht Jeugdstorm 1935 - 1937

Editor: This gelatin-silver print, “Na afloop van de optocht Jeugdstorm,” or "After the Youth Storm Parade," made by J. Otto between 1935 and 1937, shows a group of young people in uniform resting on a grassy field. The whole scene feels strangely organized. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: This photograph provides a glimpse into a specific historical context, doesn't it? The “Jeugdstorm” was a Dutch youth movement modeled after the Hitler Youth. Recognizing that informs how we interpret the visual organization you mentioned, and also the landscape, the symbols and poses adopted. Doesn’t the relatively informal snapshot aesthetic somewhat clash with the rigid structure the organization tried to enforce? Editor: Absolutely. It's unsettling how the everyday setting, that field by the woods, normalizes the whole thing. Was photography used intentionally to promote or document these groups? Curator: Exactly. Photography, like any medium, was and still is used in many ways, as propaganda but also to build a shared visual memory for its members. The modern aesthetic is definitely visible. We see a clear attempt to frame the children and adolescents, who are sitting versus standing, as though trying to evoke ideas about tradition. I wonder what kind of power dynamics existed here. Editor: So, understanding the historical and political environment is essential to interpreting even the seemingly innocent parts of this photograph. Curator: Precisely! Examining the cultural context, we unveil hidden messages and underlying social intentions that are vital to critically assess this work, its subjects and the person behind the camera. Editor: It’s pretty terrifying realizing a photograph could be simultaneously documenting an event, while also actively contributing to the spread of harmful ideology. Thanks for pointing out how history shapes the piece!