Jalapa 48 (Homage to F.K.) 1973

"Jalapa 48 (Homage to F.K.)" is a gelatin silver print made by Aaron Siskind in 1948. This piece invites us to consider the cultural and artistic shifts happening mid-century, as photography began to be seen as more than just documentation. Siskind, initially a social documentary photographer with the Photo League, moved towards abstraction after World War II. His work, like this one, challenges traditional expectations, blurring lines between photography and painting. Siskind found his subjects on the streets, focusing on the textures, shapes, and forms found on walls, sidewalks, and urban landscapes. Here, the peeling paint and graffiti marks become a canvas, reflecting the urban environment's grit. Siskind himself stated that, "The photograph is not a picture *of* something, but *about* something". He used his lens to explore identity, memory, and place. The black and white tones heighten the emotional impact of the image, inviting viewers to consider how abstract forms can evoke complex feelings and ideas. We are left to consider how our surroundings shape us.