Untitled c. 20th century

Editor: So, here we have an untitled gelatin-silver print, circa the 20th century, by Edwin Levick, depicting a New York Cityscape. It feels very industrial and imposing to me. What's your perspective? Curator: Well, focusing on the materiality, the gelatin-silver print process itself is crucial. Think about the labor involved: mining the silver, manufacturing the chemicals, the darkroom work, the developing, printing. This wasn't a snapshot; it's a crafted object born from industrial processes. How does knowing that influence your interpretation? Editor: That makes me think about how carefully constructed the image is, from its very beginning. Does the urban environment captured say anything about industry as well? Curator: Absolutely. Look at the built environment. Those skyscrapers, expressions of capital and industry, aren't just backdrops. The sheer density, the verticality – these are material testaments to economic power. And the steam rising? Evidence of ongoing production. We have to ask: Who benefited from this intense construction and labor, and who was exploited in the process? Editor: So, by focusing on the 'how' of its creation, and what the image is depicting, we are revealing broader implications. Does looking at it through a materialist lens affect your appreciation of the artistry? Curator: It shifts it. It's less about romanticism, more about acknowledging the physical reality and social dynamics embedded in its production and subject. It's not just a pretty picture. It's a historical document reflecting labor, capital, and the built environment of its time. I hope thinking this way allows you to view the piece differently as well. Editor: I see what you mean; now the artistry speaks of historical context as well. Thanks!