The artwork titled “Acolman 1,” created by Aaron Siskind in 1955, is an exemplar of the Abstract Expressionist movement within the realm of photography. This genre is well-captured through the artist’s lens, which expresses an evocative, non-representational visual narrative.
Upon inspecting the artwork, it becomes readily apparent that Aaron Siskind has focused on a series of architectural elements to craft an abstract composition. The photograph showcases a succession of vertical structures, resembling pillars or buttresses, that create a rhythmic pattern across the frame. These structures are adorned with an intricate interplay of light and shadow, along with varied textures that give the sense of depth and tactile surfaces.
These features are starkly monochromatic, allowing for an intense contrast that accentuates their form and highlights their weathered state; the roughness and mottled patterns suggest age and exposure to elements. Moreover, the composition artfully isolates these structural details from their wider context, inviting the viewer to interpret the forms in a purely abstract manner. It is not the subject itself that holds significance, but rather the contrast of light and dark, the textures, and the overall balance of the composition that resonate with the fundamental premises of Abstract Expressionism.
The lack of human presence in the frame and the minimalist approach to the subject matter evokes a sense of solemnity and focuses the viewer’s attention solely on the interplay between the abstract forms and the gradations of tone within the work. This encourages a contemplative engagement with the artwork, characteristic of the kind of visceral response that Abstract Expressionist artists often sought to provoke.