New York c. 20th century

Here is a wintry New York scene, made by Paul Strand using photography. I imagine Strand up high, maybe on a rooftop or a tall building, looking down on the city as the snow falls. You know, that fresh blanket of white softening all the hard edges? It’s like the whole city is holding its breath. Look how the snow clings to every surface. Think about the shadows, too—those dark lines that cut across the scene. It's as if the architecture beneath has been revealed. I bet Strand was thinking about geometry here, the way lines and shapes can create a sense of depth and space. It makes me think about how cityscapes are always changing, and how artists like Strand find ways to freeze a moment in time. It's almost as if he's inviting us to see the city in a whole new way.