James Blair. Cleveland, Ohio, 1970, printed 2020. inkjet print from original Kodachrome negative, Image: 30.3 x 45.7 cm (11 15/16 x 18 in.); Paper: 43.2 x 55.7 cm (17 x 21 15/16 in.). Gift of Emmie Stonehill Donadio, 2020.341. Copyrighted.

Cleveland, Ohio

1970, printed 2020

James Blair

James Blair (American, 1931–2021)

Photography

Cleveland, Ohio, 1970, printed 2020. James Blair (American, 1931–2021). Inkjet print from original Kodachrome negative; image: 30.3 x 45.7 cm (11 15/16 x 18 in.); paper: 43.2 x 55.7 cm (17 x 21 15/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Emmie Stonehill Donadio 2020.341 James Blair’s view of a steel mill and sun obscured by a beautiful but unhealthy haze of mist, smog, and smoke hearkens back to 1920s views of similar—perhaps even the same—mill by Margaret Bourke-White. In those days, the working mill evoked industrial might, jobs, and wealth. Blair’s high contrast and use of deep black create an ominous, eerie beauty that suggests a far more sinister attitude. This view was taken on Earth Day 1970 as part of a story on pollution for National Geographic.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: James Blair
Classification: Photograph
Formatted Medium: inkjet print from original Kodachrome negative
Medium: inkjet, print, from, original, kodachrome, negative
Dimensions: Image: 30.3 x 45.7 cm (11 15/16 x 18 in.); Paper: 43.2 x 55.7 cm (17 x 21 15/16 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: Imprinted on verso of paper in lower margin: "1970, USA, Cleveland, Ohio. Photograph and print by James P. Blair, © National Geographic Society, File #594159" Inscription: Written in pencil on verso: "James P. Blair (signed)"
Departments: Photography
Accession Number: 2020.341
Credit Line: Gift of Emmie Stonehill Donadio
Rights Statement: Copyrighted