Indiana 2011

Richard Ross made this photograph, titled 'Indiana', and printed on a sheet sometime in the late 20th century. The way he coaxes pink from the architecture makes me think about how color can really transform space. Here, the texture is hard and flat. Ross’s photograph presents the architecture plainly, and the color is smooth and mostly even, until you see the subtle variations along the ceiling. These shifts in color make you feel like you're looking at something real. Consider the floor drain. The circular, metallic grid stands in stark contrast to the rest of the image. It’s the only shape that isn’t squared or rectangular, and the only moment of dark, contrasting color. It’s a subtle but crucial element that draws attention to the realness and the strangeness of the space. 'Indiana' feels related to the uncanny architectural photography of the Bechers, but with an added layer of intense color. Art is like a conversation, always building on what’s come before, but never quite the same.