The Hollywood Suites (Bound Doors) #4 1976

Steve Kahn made this photograph, *The Hollywood Suites (Bound Doors) #4*, using black and white photography. What first seemed like a straightforward document of doors soon becomes a puzzle. I can only imagine Kahn in the space with his camera, maybe circling slightly, as he composes this shot. The doors are shut, bound by thick rope at the top and bottom. This adds a layer of intrigue. Are the doors protecting something, or keeping something in? The tension between what is visible and what is concealed invites us to ask questions about space, privacy, and boundaries. The graininess of the image almost gives it the texture of a drawing. This reminds me of other artists who explore the boundaries between photography and other mediums. Kahn challenges our perceptions and expectations, so it makes us see doors in a new light. It's like he's saying, hey, even the most mundane things can be a source of mystery and beauty.