Perspective Distortion: Building Facade and Blue Sky, Atlanta Possibly 1977 - 1979

Editor: We’re looking at Harry Callahan’s photograph, “Perspective Distortion: Building Facade and Blue Sky, Atlanta," taken sometime in the late 1970s. The perspective feels so exaggerated; it makes me feel like I'm tilting backwards just looking at it! What’s your take on why Callahan chose this viewpoint? Curator: Oh, I just love how Callahan messes with our sense of space here, doesn’t he? It’s more than just a building facade; it’s a game with perception. It almost feels as though he wanted us to feel the skyscraper's hugeness in comparison with our bodies, and the people that seems like are about to get flatten walking on the side walk... don’t you think so? The geometric details start dancing and changing size! And, goodness, the blue of the sky becomes so piercing, almost mocking the cold architecture. Editor: I see what you mean. It's more than just documenting a building; it's about capturing a feeling. Curator: Exactly! Callahan’s photography often explores that thin line between documenting reality and showing how he *feels* about it. It becomes so emotional, almost as real as a dream, I might add! Are we seeing the world or how the artist experienced it, I wonder... What do you think? Editor: I never thought about photography as having this ability to make dreams visible! Thanks. Curator: The pleasure is all mine. It just feels nice to stop thinking about the right angle, to explore what perspective can mean to you. Just pure, simple... feeling.