Rust rusts, natural composition of decay by Fred van Schaagen

About "Rust rusts, natural composition of decay"

by Fred van Schaagen

About the artwork

An abandoned trailer of a truck has been exposed to the elements. In the middle of the salt mining area on the side of the road, this trailer flaunts its beautiful brown discolouration of rust. It is not clear if this is the final resting place of this imposing powerhouse or if its load capacity is still being utilised. I was on my way to photograph flamingos and saw this lopsided cart contrasting beautifully against the beautifully blue sky in which a few white clouds like cotton wool tufts provide the contrast. The background of mountains is subtly present and the bouquet of wildflowers is a beautiful contrast against the shades of blue and the mainly grey tones of the road and the bare roadside. The undercarriage of the trailer and the mechanism of the hydraulic legs are also easy to see.

The day I took this picture, it was hotter than 40 degrees celcius. Really hot and no shelter from the sun that did its best to vibrate the air. The intense heat, the peace and quiet of this place, the vastness of the area and the size of the object gave me a feeling of nothingness. But also a sense of, being privileged to be here and experience all that. So many senses are engaged from discomfort to pleasure. Taking the picture during the hottest moment of the day and with this brightness of sunlight was a challenge to my skill as a photographer.