New York from the Shelton 1935

Alfred Stieglitz captured this photograph, "New York from the Shelton," using his camera as a tool for psychological exploration. The skyscrapers, thrusting upwards, become modern-day obelisks—symbols of human aspiration and technological prowess. Yet, these forms echo the ancient ziggurats of Mesopotamia, structures intended to bridge the gap between the earthly and the divine. Consider the Tower of Babel: a monument to human ambition, ultimately leading to confusion and disarray. Similarly, the skyscrapers evoke feelings of awe and anxiety, their imposing presence shaping our subconscious understanding of urban life. We see a dance of light and shadow, a visual representation of the psychological states evoked by modernity. Light embodies progress and hope, while shadow hints at the alienation and isolation inherent in the modern experience.