Equivalent 1925 - 1927

Alfred Stieglitz made this gelatin silver print, titled "Equivalent," sometime in the 1920s. Stieglitz sought to legitimize photography as a fine art. He opened the 291 Gallery in New York in 1905 to promote avant-garde photography and modern art. During the early 20th century, photography grappled with its place among established art forms. Stieglitz believed that photography could express inner emotions and spiritual states, just like painting or sculpture. He began his "Equivalents" series in the 1920s, photographing clouds to represent these emotional states. The clouds, for Stieglitz, weren't just clouds. His work raises questions about the institutions of art and how they shape our understanding of what is considered art. To delve deeper, consider exploring period writings on photography and the history of art institutions in early 20th century America. Understanding this context helps us appreciate the power of art to challenge and redefine cultural norms.