East Wall, Lion Canyon, Utah c. 1870

Curator: This is John K. Hillers' "East Wall, Lion Canyon, Utah," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s so stark, the black and white amplifying the sheer scale and rawness of the canyon walls. Curator: Hillers was part of expeditions to document the American West, influencing perceptions and policies regarding these lands. These images were crucial in shaping the narrative of the untamed frontier. Editor: I'm thinking about the labor involved, the physical demands of lugging that equipment. It's so carefully composed, but it captures something almost industrial in its scale. Curator: Precisely. It reflects the period's desire to categorize and control nature, turning landscape into something that could be understood and, importantly, exploited. Editor: The contrast between the smooth, almost polished rock faces and the chaotic riverbed below speaks to the power of natural forces at play. A visual reminder of geological time. Curator: Hillers’ photographs both documented and constructed the myth of the West, solidifying its place in the American identity. Editor: It's a fascinating artifact of its time, both for what it shows and what it leaves unsaid about the relationship between people and place.