Coachella Valley 1935 - 1936

Editor: Here we have Paul Landacre's "Coachella Valley," a woodcut print from 1935-36. The geometric, almost rhythmic, quality of the carved lines, particularly in the sky, really catches my eye. How do you see this work operating within its historical context? Curator: Considering Landacre's "Coachella Valley" through a historical lens, it’s important to examine the public role of art during the Depression era. Does the geometric style strike you as echoing any prevalent design trends of the time? Editor: You know, now that you mention it, the art-deco elements are fairly apparent. It almost looks like something created for the WPA. Curator: Precisely. The stark contrasts and dramatic light could be seen as reflecting a certain social consciousness, perhaps even anxieties, about the rapidly changing landscape and the human impact on it. The idealization of the valley flattens into geometric stylization here. In what way does it communicate the relationship between nature and the viewers of this scene? Editor: The lack of any human figures gives me the sense of sublime awe. The land is both imposing and silent, and maybe indicative of larger themes of loss due to our destructive behaviours, which you already pointed out. What is its function for people today? Curator: In contemporary terms, this print might remind us of our relationship to environmental concerns. It becomes a visual touchstone for conversations around sustainability and how we curate nature through cultural imagery. Are we preserving or exploiting? Editor: That's a really insightful connection. I had never considered the sociopolitical implications of landscape art so explicitly before. Thanks! Curator: The value of art lies in understanding its past to illuminate our present and inform our future. It’s about seeing how cultural narratives shape the way we see the world, even in something as seemingly simple as a landscape print.