Exchange Hotel 

Dan Graziano painted 'Exchange Hotel' using oil on linen. This image presents a narrative layered with social and economic undercurrents. Graziano captures the Exchange Hotel sign, a beacon that once symbolized commerce and human interaction, now faded and juxtaposed against the stark utility of power lines. The urban scene reflects America’s changing landscape, from thriving social hubs to functional spaces defined by infrastructure. We might ask ourselves, what does 'exchange' mean now? Is it still about people or something more abstract, like energy? By the time this was painted, traditional hotels were under pressure from new models of hospitality which reflected a changing social and institutional landscape. To fully understand a painting like this, we need to research the history of hotels as social institutions, the impact of urban development, and the shifting values of community and connection. The historian brings these elements to light, revealing art as a mirror reflecting society's evolving story.