Singer Tower, New York c. 20th century

Editor: This is Rudolph Ruzicka's "Singer Tower, New York." It is an impressive view, capturing the grandeur of the tower, but also the deep shadows of the city streets. What social implications do you see in this image? Curator: The Singer Tower, once the tallest building, embodies early 20th-century American ambition. Ruzicka presents it framed by deep shadows, hinting at the social disparities alongside this progress. Who benefits from such architectural marvels, and who is left in the shadows? Editor: That's interesting. It prompts me to think about the narratives of progress versus the lived realities of the everyday person. Curator: Exactly. Ruzicka's print invites us to examine whose stories are told and whose are often unseen.