Gezicht op een ossenwagen en een kerk in Chihuahua before 1883

Curator: Let’s begin by examining this albumen print entitled “Gezicht op een ossenwagen en een kerk in Chihuahua,” dating from before 1883, by R.D. Cleveland. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: The sepia tones create a sense of timelessness, almost like looking at a faded memory. I’m also struck by the composition—the ox cart procession contrasted with the static permanence of the church. How do you interpret this juxtaposition through a formal lens? Curator: Indeed. Focusing solely on the visual elements, the photograph establishes a compelling dialogue between movement and stasis. Consider how the horizontal lines of the landscape and ox cart emphasize progression, while the verticality of the church creates a sense of grounded stability. Moreover, note the interplay of light and shadow, and how the photographer captures the textures of the adobe architecture against the vast openness of the landscape. Editor: So you're saying that the photograph is drawing attention to fundamental qualities: the lines, texture and distribution of light, almost disregarding the cultural significance of the ox cart and the church in the frame? Curator: Not disregarding entirely, but foregrounding the formal relationships as the primary mode of understanding. Observe, for instance, how the repeating forms of the oxen echo the arched windows of the church, creating a subtle visual harmony, one could apply semiotics here. Editor: I see that now! It's like the artist is deliberately organizing our field of vision to have us find relationships that might otherwise go unnoticed. What do you find most fascinating? Curator: For me, it's the materiality of the albumen print itself. The warm tonality and subtle imperfections imbue the image with a distinct physical presence, reminding us of its historical existence as a crafted object. Editor: This conversation has given me an entirely new appreciation for how formalism allows us to see through a specific lens. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. Examining the inherent aesthetic values offers valuable entry points. Hopefully we can dive deeper into theoretical engagement next time!