¶ … City of Ambitions.
Alfred Stieglitz
Modernist Photography
Photogravure
By the early 20th century, photography had established itself as more than a means of documentary evidence. The medium had the potential to convey the artist's impressions as well as political content. Photographers like Alfred Stieglitz capitalized on the power of the medium to depict social and political realities without sacrificing aesthetics. "The City of Ambitions" is one example of Stieglitz's early work, a large portion of which uses urban life as its focus.
"The City of Ambitions" is New York, the American -- even global -- hub of capitalist enterprise. Stieglitz captures New York's industrial side. Not only does the photographer wait for the time of day during which factory smoke is at its most visible, but Stieglitz also includes in the composition multiple features of urban architecture including the river dock and the burgeoning high rises sprouting up around it and beyond. The photogravure technique enables a soft effect, which is an apt counterpart to the otherwise harsh and angular imagery of the edifices. As photography could still be considered a new art form, Stieglitz is clearly experimenting with composition with "The City of Ambitions." The walkway in the bottom right foreground provides the necessary diagonal line drawing the eye towards the center of the image, where a flag waves. Plumes of smoke dominate the landscape, even though solid buildings make up the substantial bulk. Both horizontal and vertical lines keep the eye moving.
Movement and progress...
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