Ondergelopen straat bij een spoorviaduct tijdens de overstroming van Parijs 1910 - 1911

Editor: This photograph, titled "Ondergelopen straat bij een spoorviaduct tijdens de overstroming van Parijs", or "Flooded Street by a Railway Viaduct during the Paris Flood" was taken by G. Dangereux sometime between 1910 and 1911. It's a print and the scene is so still, almost eerie, despite depicting a rather dramatic natural event. What’s your take on this work? Curator: It's a powerful depiction of urban vulnerability. Considering the socio-political context, the 1910 Paris flood was a major catastrophe. Dangereux's photograph captures more than just a flooded street; it captures a moment of societal disruption. How do you think this image circulated, and what kind of impact might it have had? Editor: I can imagine it being published in newspapers, maybe even postcards, spreading awareness, but also, perhaps, sensationalizing the event. Was there any impact in terms of urban planning or social change after the flood? Curator: Absolutely. The flood exposed the city's inadequate infrastructure and disaster preparedness. We see this in the submerged tram and the houses at water-level. It really brought to light questions around wealth inequality and risk. This photograph would have certainly contributed to the dialogue on these topics, pressing authorities for better management and infrastructure improvements, thereby giving imagery like this very real political agency. Does it shift your understanding of this piece? Editor: Definitely, thinking about it as more than just a photo, but as evidence and a political tool gives me a deeper respect for Dangereux and a better understanding of how this medium could be used for documentation and enacting real change. Thanks for shedding light on the photograph's historical impact. Curator: My pleasure. Seeing art through the lens of history is so insightful, I’m glad we could share some insight today.