At the photography exhibition of Dutch international photography master Erwin Olaf Springveld’s solo exhibition “Erwin Olaf: Perfect Moment – Unfinished World” at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, I initially thought I would spend just a couple of hours browsing before leaving. Unexpectedly, the exhibition was so fascinating that I returned to view it twice, gaining a lot from the experience.
In the exhibition, I saw two single photographs where static compositions were performing a “mini-theater.” Here, I will elaborate for my fellow literature enthusiasts on just how remarkable the works of master photographer Erwin Olaf Springveld are! Using only photographs, he sharply reflects the cruel reality, and by simply looking a little longer, you are sure to feel a strong impact.
The first photograph has a tactile quality of an oil painting. In a dark-colored hall, there is one man and four women. It is evident that an old patron has chosen a beautiful prostitute. The stark contrast in the ages of the three older prostitutes strongly hints at her future fate. Will she overturn it? This creates dramatic “tension.” It’s heart-wrenching...
In the second photograph, the farewell between two men in a living room has its reasons. What factors make their separation so difficult? The white-skinned man is wearing underwear, hinting at their intimacy. The dark-skinned man is dressed in something resembling a military uniform, with a duffel bag used by soldiers next to him. Is his “beloved” about to enlist? The charm of art photography lies in the infinite meanings contained within the images. They reflect life in a vivid way, focusing on reality while not clinging to it. They open our horizons and deepen our understanding of life…
