Ellis Island 15 1988

Madoka Takagi created 'Ellis Island 15' as part of a series using photography, a medium that captures light and shadow on light-sensitive paper. This image presents us with fragments – shards of memory perhaps? Look closely, and you’ll notice pieces of newspaper, one featuring an advertisement for a mid-century car. There's also a bird skull, all embedded in what looks like crumbled plaster. The sepia tone lends an antique feel, connecting us to the historical weight of Ellis Island as a gateway for immigrants. Takagi’s artistic process speaks to the way we build up history from the remnants of everyday life. She invites us to consider the cumulative effect of time and experience. Each fragment tells a story, alluding to the hopes, dreams, and also the decay inherent in the American immigrant experience. The choice of photography itself, with its indexical relationship to reality, underscores the importance of bearing witness to history's layered narratives.