Aaron Siskind photographing, Kentucky Strip Mines c. 1970 - 1972

Editor: This photo, Carl Chiarenza's *Aaron Siskind photographing, Kentucky Strip Mines*, presents a figure dwarfed by these strange, undulating hills. It's haunting. What strikes you most about this image? Curator: Notice how Chiarenza positions Siskind, another photographer, almost as a solitary pilgrim. The strip mines themselves, regardless of Chiarenza’s intent, evoke images of sacrifice. What story do you think is being told? Editor: Perhaps it's about the cost of progress, the scars left on the land in pursuit of resources? Curator: Indeed. Consider how the monochrome palette emphasizes the starkness, transforming a landscape into a symbol of environmental impact and human intervention. It's a powerful juxtaposition. Editor: I see it now, the figure seems to be in contemplation. I hadn't thought about the environmental symbolism before. Curator: Visual symbols are deeply rooted in our shared memory and experience. It’s important to consider both the objective scene and its potential to resonate on multiple levels.