Hawaii XIII 1978

Curator: Richard Misrach’s "Hawaii XIII," from 1978, presents a photographic study of a Hawaiian landscape at night. What are your immediate impressions? Editor: My initial reaction is that it evokes a sense of mystery, even slight unease. The deep shadows obscure more than they reveal, giving the vegetation an almost ghostly quality. Curator: The composition relies heavily on vertical elements, wouldn't you say? Note the rhythmic repetition of the tree trunks cutting through the frame and dissecting the image, playing against the fan-like shapes of the palm leaves. Editor: Yes, and there's a tension between the natural, untamed subject matter and what I see as the controlled artifice of the photographic process. Consider how the flash seems to isolate specific areas while leaving the surrounding foliage in near-total darkness. That speaks to ideas of surveillance and imposed visibility on vulnerable spaces. Curator: A critical aspect is certainly the artist’s manipulation of light. These sharp contrasts alter the reading of the natural world, drawing our attention to textural details, wouldn’t you say? Editor: Absolutely, but consider the historical context. These landscapes have a legacy of colonial exploitation and military occupation. So how can we view a romantic landscape image now without reckoning with those dynamics of power and appropriation? Curator: That is a fascinating and sobering point. Looking at Misrach's treatment of light and dark anew now, I’d say that you are indeed correct in asserting that he masterfully controls our perception and, indeed, creates a very evocative viewing experience. Editor: Yes. I think ultimately, we have to ask, "whose paradise is this?", which this artwork cleverly illuminates. Curator: Precisely. It is a good demonstration of how to appreciate photographic studies. Editor: Indeed!