Steel strands c. 20th century

Curator: What strikes me immediately is the intricate interplay of light and shadow. The stark contrasts create a powerful sense of depth and texture. Editor: Indeed. Here we have Warren Mack’s "Steel Strands," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts the Brooklyn Bridge, a symbol of American industrial prowess. Curator: Notice how the artist uses the graphic nature of the medium to emphasize the bridge's structural components, abstracting its form. Editor: Absolutely. Bridges, and especially this bridge, connect not only geographical locations but also people and ideas. It became an immediate icon of modernity. Curator: The steel strands themselves, rendered with such precision, evoke both the beauty and the relentless drive of urban progress. Editor: Looking at this artwork, I am reminded that the aesthetics of bridges are not simply visual, but also social and political. Curator: I see in it how the bridge is a testament to human ingenuity and collective endeavor, inspiring awe and also reflecting on our relationship with the industrial world. Editor: Mack's perspective offers a moment to reflect on the narratives embedded in our built environment.