Local Television 1952

This photographic print, called 'Local Television,' captures an image of a television screen. The muted greyscale hues make you think of an old TV. But what is this image? A huge cloud billowing upwards. I can imagine the artist zeroing in, focusing their lens on the glass screen of their own TV set. They must have been captivated by the flickering light and the weight of the moment. They, like many others, were likely haunted by the possibility of nuclear annihilation. The artist is unknown, but I feel a kinship with them. This work reminds me that we’re all in an ongoing conversation, responding to what came before, but also, reacting to the present. This image is a reminder of our collective anxieties, but it’s also a testament to our shared humanity.