Enco - Conway, Texas (from Five Views from the Panhandle Series) 

Edward Ruscha made this photograph as part of his *Five Views from the Panhandle Series*. Ruscha, as with many artists, chose photography as a medium. Black and white photographs have the quality of straight documentary, almost like evidence, which is important in a work like this. What makes this photograph interesting is its focus on the ordinary, almost mundane landscape of small-town America. He's not highlighting grand vistas but rather a roadside gas station and cafe. This brings to mind the social context of the time, with the rise of car culture and the changing American landscape. The focus is less on the individual artistry and more on the social landscape. Ruscha seems to be making a statement about the homogenizing effects of capitalism, and the image becomes a powerful commentary on the culture of consumption. By elevating this everyday scene, he encourages us to consider the materials of our lives, and the often overlooked beauty of the ordinary.