A distressed, dark metal plate with numbers 4th, 5th, 6th etched, lit by an overhead bulb.

A square, weather-worn metal plate dominates the frame, mounted flush against a dark, grimy wall. The metal surface is battered and corroded, its once-smooth sheen now dulled by time. Layers of grime, rust, and scratched patina tell a long history of exposure to the elements and neglect. Deep gouges and random scuffs crisscross the surface, some catching the light faintly, others darkened with embedded filth. At each of the four corners, large industrial screws bite into the metal. Their rusted, uneven heads are partially stripped—signs of countless removals and retightenings. Around each screw, rust halos bloom outwards, staining the plate with ochre trails. Above, a single harsh overhead bulb throws down an unforgiving cone of light. The light is cold and clinical, highlighting the topography of decay. It creates stark, angular shadows that exaggerate every nick, dent, and bump, while also revealing oily smears and oxidized streaks that snake across the plate’s surface. Edges glint slightly, but most of the metal is lost in shadow or stained into matte dullness. Etched directly into the center of the plate, in thick, unevenly carved letters, are three bold lines of text: 4th 5th 6th The text is perfectly aligned vertically, each numeral and letter rough, as if cut by hand or with worn machinery. The grooves are dark with age and grit, but the lettering remains legible—standing out due to the deep shadows within the etchings. The inscription gives off an air of functional See more