Jones Beach 1978

Editor: This is "Jones Beach" by Elaine Mayes, a gelatin silver print. It feels very stark, almost desolate. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Look closely at the figure and the metal detector. Consider the labor involved in searching a beach, sifting through sand. What is being sought, and what does that labor signify in our culture of consumption? Editor: So, it's about the work and what we value, not just a day at the beach? Curator: Precisely. Think about the materials used – the metal, the photographic chemicals, the paper. How do these elements contribute to the meaning of the work, reflecting both industry and individual effort? Editor: That’s a totally different way to look at it. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It's all about seeing the unseen processes.