Ward's Cascade 1875

Curator: Ward's Cascade, a photograph by John K. Hillers, captures a moment in nature, held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels timeless. The water looks like liquid light, frozen in a dynamic dance. Curator: Hillers, who lived from 1843 to 1925, often documented the American West. The cascading water becomes a symbol of fluidity, of life's constant movement and change. Editor: Yes, and the surrounding foliage, a protective embrace. Water, in many cultures, is seen as purification. The cascade, then, acts as a symbol of cleansing, perhaps renewal. Curator: Exactly. The stereoscopic format invites us to quite literally step into the scene, to participate in this cycle of transformation. Editor: It makes me wonder about the unseen springs that feed this cascade, hidden sources of vitality. Curator: It's a quiet reminder of nature's power, even in a small frame. Editor: A miniature epic, if you will, encapsulating eternity in a fleeting moment.