Farmland, Riverhead 1978

Curator: Per Brandin’s photograph, "Farmland, Riverhead," captures a seemingly mundane agricultural landscape. Editor: There's a stillness here, a quietude that speaks to both the promise and the labor inherent in cultivating land. The stacks of sod seem almost monumental against the flat horizon. Curator: Absolutely. This image prompts us to consider the politics of land ownership and labor, especially when viewed through the lens of environmental and economic justice. Who has access to land, and at what cost? Editor: And beyond that, sod itself is an interesting visual symbol. It represents a controlled, almost commodified nature, readily transplanted. What does that say about our relationship with the land? Curator: It speaks to a very specific kind of human intervention, one that prioritizes productivity and profit. The image makes me think about the impact on the ecosystem. Editor: I agree, it brings up complex questions about our role as stewards of the land. It's a simple image, but it holds a deeper resonance.