Abandoned church in cut-over area, Boundary County, Idaho 1939

Curator: Dorothea Lange's photograph, "Abandoned church in cut-over area, Boundary County, Idaho," presents us with a stark image of rural decline. Editor: The cross atop the church strikes me immediately – a symbol meant to inspire hope, yet here it presides over desolation. Curator: Lange, known for her documentation of the Great Depression, often captured the intersection of faith and hardship in marginalized communities. The abandoned church becomes emblematic of societal breakdown. Editor: The small church building itself…its simplicity, speaks volumes. The cross, its verticality, contrasts with the horizontal landscape. It’s a plea against the overwhelming force of nature. Curator: Absolutely, and the "cut-over area" in the title is crucial. It signifies resource extraction and ecological damage, impacting communities socially and spiritually. Editor: It's as if the church, once a central point, now stands as a spectral reminder of what was lost. The tall grass and the dilapidated fence surrounding the structure serve to enhance the emotional weight. Curator: Lange's work compels us to confront the social and environmental costs of progress, or lack thereof. Editor: Indeed, she leaves us to ponder the symbolism of what remains, and what it signifies for the future.