Construction--Empire State Building after 1930

Curator: Lewis Hine's "Construction--Empire State Building" offers a remarkable view of early skyscraper construction. I am struck by its dizzying perspective! Editor: The plunging view certainly captures the vertigo of its making. Hines's images humanized the monumental project, reminding viewers of the labor that went into this iconic structure. Curator: Yes, and the composition places us amongst the girders with the workers. It speaks to the rise of industry and the worker’s place within it. Editor: I agree. The framing through steel beams creates a stark, almost abstract pattern against the soft, receding cityscape. It’s about power and scale. Curator: It’s a testament to the ambition of the era. Editor: Indeed. It gives me a new appreciation for how the formal elements can deliver such a layered experience. Curator: And it reminds us of the importance of considering the social conditions in which the art was created.