The Elevation of the Dead 1938

Editor: This black and white photograph, "The Elevation of the Dead" by Clarence Laughlin, shows a weathered tomb in what looks like a New Orleans cemetery. It feels very gothic and…staged. What’s your take on it? Curator: Laughlin's photographs often explore the themes of decay and the passage of time, deeply influenced by Surrealism. Consider how New Orleans' unique burial practices, necessitated by its geography, shape the social and cultural perception of death. How does this image reflect those local attitudes? Editor: So, it's not just a spooky photo, it's about how a specific place deals with death? Curator: Precisely. Laughlin uses the visual language of Surrealism to explore how societal structures respond to mortality. The carefully composed scene creates a stage for reflecting on the human condition. Editor: I never thought about a cemetery as a stage. Thanks for the insight! Curator: It's all about understanding the narratives behind the imagery.