Carbon. Page [66-67]

Carbon. Page [66-67]

A Photographic Look at the New American West (Exhibition : 2008)

German installation artist Lothar Baumgarten’s work often has an anthropological bent. With this work, in both the original installation format and then as an artist’s book, Baumgarten uses the graphic logos of various rail companies and photographic images of rail lines to explore the remnants of the impact railroads had as European-based cultures collided with Native American civilization during the period of Western expansion. The decline of the railroad to its present almost defunct state flavors the presentation. -- This copy has been signed by the artist.

A Photographic Look at the New American West. -- The landscape of the American West has long been a subject for photographers. The advent of photography in the mid-nineteenth century and the development of easier methods of photographic reproduction corresponded with the western expansion of the nation. Photographic documentation augmented the reports issued as part of the United States Geological Survey of the Territories and photography was capturing the wondrous archaeological discoveries being made, as well as capturing the vestiges of Native American culture. Civic boosters, hotel resorts and railway lines were using photography in promotional material to woo visitors to the western states. -- The post-World War II American West was a very different place. As the public claimed what was once open space for development the wilderness that characterized the west became increasingly scarce and therefore more precious. Remaining wilderness areas, such as the National Parks, provided photographic inspiration for photographers beyond the mere documentary, ornamental, or promotional. Images of the West became, in addition, a vehicle for personal expression, whether it was the awe-inspiring grandeur revealed by Ansel Adams, the bittersweet nostalgia expressed by Wright Morris, or the ubiquitous, scarring hand of man found in the work of Robert Adams. -- All of the works shown are from the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Library.

CAI copy included in Library exhibition titled "A Photographic Look at the New American West" held February 27 - May 21, 2008

Item exhibited open (pp.66-67)

Exhibition webpage: http://www.clarkart.edu/museum_programs/exhibitions_past_detail.cfm?EID=65

Baumgarten, Lothar

Los Angeles : Museum of Contemporary Art, 1991

Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Library

[143] p. : ill. (some col.) ; 31 x 39 cm

eng

image

NF588 B348 L67 1990

cau