Section of South Side of Zuni, Pueblo, N. M. 1873

Curator: This is Timothy O'Sullivan's photograph, "Section of South Side of Zuni Pueblo, N. M." It offers a glimpse into the architecture and life of the Zuni people. Editor: It feels so still, almost like a ruin, yet those ladders suggest a very active, if unseen, community life. Curator: Those ladders are potent symbols of connection, both physical and spiritual. They represent access to different planes of existence, echoing ancient traditions. Editor: But the photograph also carries a certain weight, knowing it was taken during a time of immense cultural disruption and government surveys of Indigenous lands. Curator: Precisely. The image becomes a complex artifact, showing both the enduring spirit of the Zuni and the encroaching gaze of the colonizer. Editor: So, this photo documents more than just a building; it's capturing a moment of cultural negotiation and resilience frozen in time.