Amish Children 1945

Editor: This gelatin-silver print, "Amish Children" by Gordon Parks, was created in 1945. The monochrome image captures a horse-drawn carriage with three children. It feels quite staged, yet authentic, portraying a specific moment in time. What stands out to you in this photograph? Curator: Well, looking at this image, I'm immediately drawn to the visible labour. The very construction of this carriage tells a story. Each wheel, each joint, is evidence of crafted materiality. Think about the societal role that these objects and materials occupy and the labor that it takes to get them there; what does that say? Editor: That’s interesting. I was focused on the children, but I see your point about the carriage itself being a product of labor. Does that also relate to the horse? Curator: Absolutely! The horse isn't just a beast of burden; it's a crucial part of this community's means of production and transportation, another aspect of physical effort. Notice, also, how the black and white medium influences our perception. It almost strips the image bare, highlighting the materiality of life, what is this artistic decision suggesting? Editor: Perhaps it directs us away from any romantic ideas, focusing on the rawness of the children's circumstances? The materials speak directly to the community’s work ethic, their traditions. Curator: Precisely. And consider the consumption evident in the shop windows behind the carriage. How does this juxtapose with the image’s austerity? Parks gives us more to unpack than meets the eye; that he made it a point to bring this disparity to life speaks volumes about the materials in our life. Editor: That’s made me think a lot more about what this photograph is portraying – not just children in a cart, but a commentary on their entire existence through the materials around them. Curator: Exactly, a potent reminder to investigate the story behind what we see!