Camera 1 

Dan Graziano painted "Camera 1," a still life, using oil paints and a muted palette. Consider the camera not just as a tool, but as a cultural artifact deeply entangled with social power. Initially, photography was a privilege, reserved for those who could afford the equipment and the time. As cameras became more accessible, they offered a new means of self-representation, especially for communities historically excluded from mainstream visual culture. But let’s also remember the camera’s role in constructing and perpetuating stereotypes. Think about the ways photography has been used to document and exoticize marginalized communities. How does this impact the way we see ourselves and others? Graziano’s choice to paint an outdated camera prompts us to reflect on how technologies of representation shape our perceptions and identities. What stories do we tell with our images, and whose stories remain untold?