Chicago 1950

Editor: Here we have Harry Callahan’s black and white photograph, "Chicago," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. I’m struck by the contrast between the stark trees and the snow. What's your take on this image? Curator: Considering Callahan's "Chicago," it's crucial to examine the photographic process itself. How did the artist's choice of materials and printing techniques influence the final image and its reception? The means of production deeply informs our understanding. Editor: That’s a great point. So it's not just about the trees, but also about how the image was made. Curator: Precisely. Think about the labor involved in creating such a high-contrast image in the darkroom. How does this resonate with the industrial context of Chicago itself? Editor: So the image is linked to both nature and the urban landscape through its creation. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Considering the materiality reframes our view of both the city and the natural world it contains.