Carte photographique de la lune, planche IX.A (Photographic Chart of the Moon, plate IX.A) Possibly 1902 - 1914

Editor: This is *Carte photographique de la lune, planche IX.A*, or Photographic Chart of the Moon, Plate IX.A, by Charles Le Morvan, made sometime between 1902 and 1914. It’s a photograph of the lunar surface. The craters and varying shades of grey are striking; there's an alien starkness that feels both isolating and inspiring. How do you interpret this work in a broader sense? Curator: This image makes me think about power dynamics, especially in the context of scientific exploration and representation. The act of mapping the moon, reducing it to a "photographic chart," can be seen as an act of claiming and controlling knowledge. Who gets to look, who gets to interpret, and who is left out of the frame? Editor: That’s an interesting way to look at it. I hadn’t considered the aspect of control. It seemed so objective at first glance. Curator: Exactly! But objectivity is itself a position. Think about the colonial era, when European powers were mapping and charting territories across the globe. Photography played a crucial role in constructing and reinforcing their dominance, “scientifically” justifying their exploitation. Does this image, in its own way, participate in that history of objectification? Editor: I see what you mean. The cool, detached observation mimics that authoritative gaze. But what about the beauty of the image? Can’t it be appreciated aesthetically, too? Curator: Of course, aesthetic appreciation is valid. But can we separate it from the historical context that produced it? Recognizing the power dynamics at play doesn't negate the beauty; it enriches our understanding, forcing us to consider whose perspective is privileged in that appreciation. Editor: I hadn’t considered the photograph’s ties to colonialism and historical exploitation, that certainly reframes the work, adding a new layer to it. Curator: And hopefully sparks critical questions! Editor: Absolutely. I’ll definitely be thinking about whose gaze is being prioritized moving forward.