Point of Rocks (In Sumner's Amphitheatre) 1871

Curator: This stereograph, titled "Point of Rocks (In Sumner's Amphitheatre)," was created by Elias Olcott Beaman. The dimensions are roughly 8 by 13 centimeters. Editor: It's a strikingly desolate landscape. The browns and tans are earthy, and the composition really emphasizes the starkness of the terrain. Curator: Considering the photographic process of the time, the materiality itself becomes significant. The albumen print, mounted on card stock, was a relatively accessible format for disseminating images of the American West, shaping perceptions of it. Editor: Absolutely, and the question becomes, who consumed these images? What socio-political role did these landscapes play in the larger narrative of westward expansion and the displacement of indigenous populations? Curator: Exactly. The labor involved in creating these prints, from the photographer in the field to the workers in the darkroom, is also a key element in understanding its creation and consumption. Editor: It certainly shifts how we view the romantic idea of the lone artist capturing sublime vistas. The very act of creating and distributing images like this had a significant impact on how the West was perceived and used. Curator: Indeed, examining the confluence of material production and social context gives us a richer understanding. Editor: A stark, but revealing image to consider within a broader cultural context.