Blocs dans le chaos, St-Sauveur 1853

Joseph Vigier made *Blocs dans le chaos, St-Sauveur* using a photographic process of the 19th century. It’s a scene dominated by geology: massive boulders scattered across a rugged landscape. Photography in Vigier's time demanded complex chemistry and careful manipulation of light. The final print, sepia-toned and mounted on board, shows the artist's mastery of the craft. The choice of subject is also interesting; rather than a picturesque vista, Vigier focused on the raw, chaotic power of nature. It's a landscape untouched by industry, yet seen through the lens of a technology enabled by industrial chemistry. It is important to remember that the production of photography at this time required specific knowledge, and careful attention to detail. This attention elevates the medium beyond mere documentation, and encourages one to consider the ways in which even a seemingly straightforward image is the result of human skill. In this way, photography too, can be considered as an act of making.