Side of Warehouse, Newbern, Alabama 1990

Editor: Here we have William Christenberry's "Side of Warehouse, Newbern, Alabama," taken in 1990. It’s a photograph of what looks like a decaying, patched-up warehouse wall. There's a certain sadness to it, but also a kind of stark beauty in the textures. What strikes you about it? Curator: The power of this photograph lies in its focus on the material reality of the building. Note the varied textures – the corrugated iron, the patched sections, the rust eating away at the surfaces. How do these materials reflect the economic realities of Newbern, Alabama in the late 20th century? Editor: So, you're seeing it as a kind of commentary on the area’s economy through its materials? Curator: Exactly. Think about where these materials came from, who worked with them, and how they were used and re-used. The photograph isn't just about a derelict building, but the lives, labour and consumption connected to the scene. Consider the labor involved in constructing and then patching this warehouse, and who benefited, if anyone? Editor: That’s interesting, I hadn’t thought about the human element. What about the photograph itself as a commodity? Is it fair to aestheticize decay when real lives are involved? Curator: That's a crucial question! Photography, in this context, can be seen as participating in a cycle of commodification. Is Christenberry, by capturing this image, drawing attention to the social realities, or exploiting them for artistic gain? The print will likely outlive the building itself and the economy that built it. Editor: It really does shift how I see it, thinking about the labor and context involved. Thanks for that different point of view! Curator: My pleasure. Seeing art through a material lens brings into focus the production and consumption that all works embody.