Grand Cañon, Colorado River, Near Paria Creek, Looking East 1872

Editor: This is William Bell’s photograph, "Grand Cañon, Colorado River, Near Paria Creek, Looking East." The sepia tones create such a stark, sublime effect. What’s your take on this landscape? Curator: I see the Grand Canyon not just as a geological wonder, but as a site of contested narratives. Bell's photographs, commissioned by the U.S. government, were instrumental in shaping perceptions of the American West during a period of aggressive expansion. How do we reconcile the undeniable beauty with the displacement and erasure of Indigenous peoples? Editor: So, it's a double-edged image, showing beauty while representing a darker history? Curator: Exactly. These romanticized landscapes fueled Manifest Destiny, masking the violence inflicted upon Native communities. The very act of photographing became a tool of power. What is recorded and how, becomes a political act. Editor: I hadn't considered the photograph as a political act itself. It gives me a lot to think about. Curator: Indeed. Art encourages us to confront uncomfortable truths and question dominant narratives. It’s a powerful tool for understanding our past and present.