Fish Tails 1998

Editor: Here we have Larry Stark's photograph, "Fish Tails," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. The composition is quite striking; it’s an unusual angle, and the tails themselves are almost floral. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: The image presents an intriguing view of human intervention in the natural world. The cluster of fish tails, contained within a manufactured structure, highlights the fishing industry's impact on marine life and our complicated relationship to the consumption of natural resources. Editor: That's an interesting point. It makes me consider the role of photography in documenting these issues and perhaps prompting a cultural re-evaluation. Curator: Exactly. How do images like this circulate, and what narratives do they reinforce or challenge about our environment and ourselves? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. It gives a lot more depth to something that, on the surface, seemed like just an everyday snapshot. Curator: Indeed. Every image participates in a broader visual culture that shapes our perceptions and actions.