The Queen of Nevada
Photograph from the archives of the Nevada Historical Society. Detail, taken around 1890-1891 in Carson City. Included in the exhibition. [Click on image to enlarge.]

CAPITAL VIEWS: Photography and History

The Capital City Arts Initiative is delighted to present "Capital Views: Photography and History" at it Carson City Courthouse Gallery.

Below are introductory comments drafted by CCAI Program Designer Jon Winet. An on-paper version of the introduction is available in the gallery.


CAPITAL VIEWS: Photography and History

PEOPLE'S birthdays that end in zeros are noteworthy, and cities are no different, especially when the zero is preceded by, say, a one and then a five.

The Capital City Arts Initiative [CCAI] is proud to present, in celebration of Carson City's 150th anniversary, Capital Views: Photography and History. The exhibition at the CCAI Courthouse Gallery highlights a selection of photographs from the archives of the Nevada Appeal, Nevada Historical Society, Nevada State Museum, and Reno Gazette Journal.

The founding of Carson City in 1858 dates to the early years of photography. Throughout its history, the city has been documented by pioneering photographers and photojournalists. Our understanding of the capital is strongly linked to the indelible documentary traces left by photographers spanning three centuries. We are delighted to showcase a selection of their efforts, and we are grateful to the participating media organizations and institutions for the generosity of their collaboration.

Scholars argue that there is no cultural artifact more complicated than the photograph. Whether amateur snapshot or professional picture, each lives in the time and place they were made and the time and place they are viewed, an amazing set of twin phenomena and the stuff of which episodes of Star Trek are made. We invite viewers of the exhibition to take a few moments to enjoy this rich experience of the creative possibilities of the space time continuum, this chance to be here now – and in this instance where we doff our caps to our city's history – and here then. In the process, we hope you will share our appreciation of Carson City, and of this extraordinary medium of photography.

In conjunction with the exhibition, CCAI will present a talk by UNR Journalism professor Howard Goldbaum on November 12, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Carson City Library. In his talk, "What We Know and How We Know it: Photography and History," Professor Goldbaum will discuss the exhibition, and some of the larger issues related to photography. He will also explore the increasingly technology-driven landscape of media in the 21st century. His talk is part of "Nevada Neighbors," CCAI's continuing lecture series on contemporary art and society.

It takes a city to create an arts organization and an exhibition, and we are grateful to the following individuals and organization who make CCAI and Capital Views possible: Cathleen Allison, Nevada Appeal; Lee Brumbaugh, Nevada Historical Society; Bob Nylen, Sue Ann Monteleone, Mary Works Covington, Nevada State Museum; Lisa J. Tolda, Reno Gazette Journal; Carole and William Hutchison; and the City of Carson City.

Jon Winet
Exhibition Designer
August 2008