Chicago 1968

Curator: I’m immediately struck by the feeling of profound stillness in this gelatin silver print. What is your first impression? Editor: Stark. Evocative. It’s a real slice of life – makes you wonder about all the stories those front steps could tell, you know? All the comings and goings… Curator: Indeed. Mikki Ferrill created "Chicago" in 1968. The work depicts three figures occupying the front steps of what appears to be a residential building, caught in the act of either resting or posing, bracketed by architectural and natural structures in the periphery. Note how the geometry of the porch provides a rigid structure, juxtaposed with the organic foliage encroaching from above. Editor: Yes, there's this deliberate composition at play, but for me it is all about those gazes. They’re looking outward, confronting you… but they don't give anything away. They command a certain respect. And those leaves hanging over, it's like they're being watched over. Curator: You've touched on something interesting regarding their power dynamic and perspective. In this black and white portrait, the careful rendering of light and shadow certainly draws our eyes to their faces, and contributes to a reading of authenticity, enhanced by its adherence to the style of realism and that moment’s focus on street-photography. What does that contrast evoke for you? Editor: Maybe an awareness of class, an unspoken critique? Or simply showing dignity amidst a sometimes difficult landscape. Think about it: this was '68… raw, turbulent, charged with struggle and maybe some defiance. And there's that flag barely there, leaning against the porch, not quite upright, maybe reflecting a complex kind of patriotism at play here. Curator: Fascinating. A compelling image where the composition works to suggest layers of social commentary beneath its documentary feel. Thank you. Editor: Definitely gives you something to chew on, long after you've moved on to the next piece. It speaks volumes with incredible nuance.