Times Square, New York City 1952 - 1954

Louis Stettner captured this image of Times Square using photography, a relatively modern medium that democratized artmaking. Consider how photography, unlike painting or sculpture, is inherently tied to industrial processes. The camera itself is a product of manufacturing, and the darkroom techniques used to develop photographs rely on chemical reactions. In Stettner's work, the contrast between the sharp detail of the manhole cover and the ethereal quality of the steam is striking. The image captures a fleeting moment, yet it also speaks to the infrastructure that supports urban life. Steam rising from the depths of the city hints at the labor and systems that keep things running. It's a reminder that even the most seemingly mundane scenes are rooted in complex networks of production and consumption. By focusing on these everyday moments, Stettner elevates the ordinary and invites us to consider the social and economic forces that shape our world. It encourages us to look beyond the surface and appreciate the artistry found in the materials and processes that surround us.