Paramount Building at Night c. 1930

Editor: This is Sherril Schell's photograph, "Paramount Building at Night." The building looms out of the darkness, lit up like a beacon. What strikes me is the almost theatrical sense of drama, especially in how the partial eclipse mirrors the clock face. What's your take? Curator: It's a fantastic example of how urban photography, especially in the early 20th century, helped to construct a powerful narrative of modernity and progress. Consider the Paramount Building itself: a symbol of entertainment and commercial success, dominating the night sky. Editor: I see what you mean. The architecture is inherently political in a way, given its scale and purpose. Curator: Exactly! And Schell's choice to emphasize its height and luminosity contributes to its mythic status, doesn't it? It's about shaping perceptions of power. Editor: That makes me think about who is being welcomed into the Paramount Building, and who is excluded from it. Curator: Precisely. It really makes you consider the social and economic forces at play, and photography's role in either reinforcing or questioning those structures.