Kerst 1942 1942

Editor: This is "Kerst 1942," or Christmas 1942, a gelatin silver print. It seems to depict a collage of photographs, all related to a Christmas celebration. The mood is surprisingly jovial, considering the year. What do you see in this piece, especially considering its materiality? Curator: I see a constructed reality, meticulously assembled. Look at how these gelatin silver prints, a relatively accessible medium, have been arranged within what appears to be an album or scrapbook page. It's not just about capturing a moment; it's about the active crafting of a narrative during wartime. The materials themselves speak to a need for normalcy, or perhaps, propaganda. Consider the labor involved in producing, developing, and arranging these photographs—who were they for? Editor: So, the value isn't just in the images themselves, but in the process of creating this physical object? Curator: Precisely. The materiality demands we consider the conditions of its creation: access to photographic supplies during wartime, the purpose of documenting this event, and the act of compiling it into this presented format. What was the societal context and power relationship here in its consumption? Do the photographs show true happiness or forced morale? How would it impact someone to come across such a photograph? Editor: That really shifts how I see it. It’s less about the festive imagery and more about understanding the work involved and what it represents about wartime culture. Thank you. Curator: Indeed. Analyzing the materials opens a window onto the human actions and social forces behind the image itself. Now, let's ponder this in connection to other photographic albums that contain personal pictures…