Shifting Perspectives: Landscape Photographs from the Collection
Herzfeld Center for Photography and Media Arts
Shifting Perspectives explores how photography can transform our understanding of the physical world—of the places we call home. Photographers have been documenting and reflecting upon the landscape since the early 1800s, when camera technology made capturing an image possible. Their pictures often trace the effects that political and social forces, including war, climate change, manufacturing, and development, have on the land. This exhibition highlights not only a range of artists represented in the Museum’s collection but also differing viewpoints. The more than 65 photographs represent, among others, contemporary artists Sky Hopinka and Pao Houa Her and iconic figures Ansel Adams and Lewis Baltz.
Among the works in the exhibition are Earthrise Seen for the First Time by Human Eyes, taken on a 1968 lunar mission (and brought to light only at the end of the 20th century); 19th-century photographs by George Barnard that record the aftermath of the American Civil War; and contemporary work by Afro-Caribbean artist Zalika Azim, which juxtaposes family photographs with images of Mars made by NASA’s Perseverance Rover. Together the works in the exhibition trace the various ways we as a society see and understand the landscape, from metaphor to speculative terrain.
Audio Guide
Hear six community respondents reflect on the photographs on view: Leana Yang, Hmong American Women’s Association; Rafael Smith, Citizen Action of Wisconsin; Josie Lee, Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center; Ck Ledesma, Milwaukee County Parks; Dr. Fran Kaplan, Nurturing Diversity Partners; and Billie Carter-Rankin, Milwaukee Art Museum.
Listen now »- William Anders (American, b. 1933), NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) (founded 1958), Michael Light (American, b. 1963), Earthrise Seen for the First Time by Human Eyes, photograph by William Anders, Apollo 8, December 24, 1968, from the project Full Moon, 1999, printed 2021. Gift of Photography Council, M2001.47. Courtesy the artist. Negative NASA; digital image © 1999 Michael Light
- Pao Houa Her (American, b. Laos, 1982), untitled (poppy field in Minnesota), from the series The Imaginative Landscape, 2019, printed 2021. Inkjet print. 52 × 65 in. Purchase, with funds from Herzfeld Foundation Acquisition Fund and Photography Council, M2022.4. © Pao Houa Her
- Laura Gilpin (American, 1891–1979), The Grand Canyon, 1920s. Platinum print. 7½ × 9½ in. Gift of the Sheldon M. Barnett Family, M1978.29. Copy photo by: John R. Glembin. © 1979 Amon Carter Museum of American Art
- Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, b. 1984), This is a mnemonic for Truman Lowe, 2019. Inkjet print with hand-scratched text. 13 × 13 in. Purchase, with funds from Flavius Cucu and Miriam Van de Sype, M2020.7. Copy photo by John R. Glembin. © Sky Hopinka