Tequendama Falls, Near Bogota, New Granada 1854

Curator: Let's turn our attention to Frederic Edwin Church's "Tequendama Falls, Near Bogota, New Granada," created in 1854. Editor: Wow, I’m immediately struck by the raw power and that hazy light… it’s almost overwhelming. It feels like standing right at the edge of the world. Curator: Church was deeply invested in portraying the specificities of the natural world, particularly in South America. We can consider how his travels informed the materials he selected and the production of these large-scale oil paintings back in his New York studio. Editor: You know, it’s fascinating to think of this almost…scientific impulse combined with the drama. Like, he wants to document, but also make us feel something immense, and a little bit scared! The tiny foliage against those monolithic rocks, makes you feel like nothing Curator: Right, the concept of the "sublime" was definitely at play in the 19th century and resonated profoundly through pieces such as this. I wonder what it means in relation to contemporary material conditions when art production can respond much more immediately to place. This piece was deliberately created and re-contextualized for consumption in another part of the world. Editor: Makes you think about accessibility… this idea of the artist going and seeing and then bringing it to folks who maybe can’t, or won’t. Is that labor? Curator: Exactly! And then you've got to consider, who is going on those travels, how the production and transportation works, and what resources get extracted to make artwork like this! Editor: Well, from my angle, it's pretty simple. To me, the most beautiful stuff hints at a deep truth, whatever process or stuff makes it happen. It just speaks right to the heart. Curator: I agree—considering all those facets just enriches the viewing experience, hopefully giving us a sharper vision for where art sits in the world today. Editor: I'm going to hold onto that overwhelming feeling of insignificance a bit longer, but with more awareness. Thanks!