Mechanicsville, Virginia 1865

Curator: This is John Reekie's photograph, Mechanicsville, Virginia. It captures a scene, rather barren, seemingly, of a small town. Editor: It feels…abandoned. The monochrome amplifies the stark reality; the buildings appear worn, almost skeletal against the open field. What kind of materials did Reekie have access to? Curator: Likely collodion process, judging from the period. The meticulous preparation of the glass plate dictated much, considering the immediate development needed. Editor: Right. The labor involved in creating just one of these images is staggering. It's a stark contrast to our instant digital access today, and speaks volumes about the value placed on representation. Curator: And perhaps the perceived value of the place itself. It's a landscape of trauma, shadowed by unseen battles, perhaps mirroring a larger cultural decay. Editor: Perhaps. The very earth becomes a material testament to conflict. Curator: Exactly. Looking at this today, we see the echoes of a history, rendered through chemistry and light. Editor: It certainly invites us to consider the physical and social conditions of its making.