Ophaalbrug Possibly 1939

This photograph shows a bascule bridge. The symbolism of a bridge, prominent here, speaks to the perennial human desire to connect, to traverse divides both physical and metaphorical. Note the figures in white, arranged neatly upon the bridge's structure, evoking a sense of order and collective purpose. This image reminds me of the Tower of Babel, representing ambition and the desire for connection, but here, it is manifested through engineering. The bridge, in its dual function of division and connection, embodies the complex interplay between separation and unity. Consider the ladder: a motif stretching back to Jacob's biblical ladder, symbolizing aspiration and the connection between earthly and divine realms. Bridges and ladders remind us of the cyclical progression of human endeavor, of dreams and aspirations, forever resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new forms across time.