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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, May 1973-March 1978

ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806745

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This image displays a vintage newspaper clipping from the Harvard Gazette, dated April 9, 1976, mounted on a light brown, aged paper or folder with two punched holes visible on the right side.

The clipping features two distinct black-and-white photographs, each with a caption describing its origin and context:


Top Photograph:

  • Content: An abstract, high-contrast image resembling a skeletal structure or an X-ray, with diagonal linear elements crossing it. The composition has a graphic, almost architectural quality.
  • Caption: “From John Divola’s Vandalism Series (1974)– at the Fogg in ‘Contemporary Photographs.’”
  • Context: This is a work by artist John Divola, part of his 1974 “Vandalism Series,” exhibited at the Fogg Museum as part of a show titled “Contemporary Photographs.”

Bottom Photograph:

  • Content: A documentary-style photograph showing several figures, likely cotton pickers, bent over in a field covered in white cotton blossoms. Their backs are turned to the camera; they wear long, light-colored dresses or garments, typical of early 20th-century rural laborers. The scene is evocative of agricultural labor and historical hardship.
  • Caption: “Cotton Pickers, Polaski County, Arkansas, October 1925 by Ben Shahn – from the Fogg photo collection, on view Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2-5 p.m.”
  • Context: This historic photograph was taken by renowned photographer and artist Ben Shahn in 1925. It is part of the Fogg Museum’s photo collection and was on public view during specific hours.

Overall Description:
The page is a museum or gallery announcement from 1976, highlighting two photographic works on display at the Fogg Museum — one contemporary (Divola’s conceptual abstraction) and one historical (Shahn’s social documentary image). The juxtaposition suggests a thematic exhibition exploring the evolution or diversity of photographic art.

The paper shows signs of aging — slight discoloration, creases, and possible fading — indicating its historical nature. The presentation on the manila folder suggests it may have been part of an archival collection or educational material.

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This image appears to be a page from a publication, specifically the Harvard Gazette dated April 9, 1976. The page contains two black-and-white photographs.

  1. The top photograph is labeled "From John Divola's Vandalism Series (1974)—at the Fogg in ‘Contemporary Photographs.’" This image features an abstract, fragmented composition with geometric lines and shapes. The style of the photograph suggests a focus on modern art and possibly social commentary, given the "Vandalism Series" title.

  2. The bottom photograph is titled "Cotton Pickers, Pulaski County, Arkansas: October 1935" by Ben Shahn. This image depicts two individuals standing in a field of cotton bolls. The photograph captures the historical context of the Great Depression and the agricultural workers who were a part of that era. The somber and reflective tone of the image aligns with Shahn's documentary style of photography, which often aimed to document social and economic conditions.

Both images are framed and bordered by the publication, and the photographs are placed against a light-colored background, suggesting a layout typical of newspaper or magazine articles.

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The image is a page from the Harvard Gazette dated April 9, 1976. It features two photographs:

  1. The top photograph is from John Divola's Vandalism Series (1974). It shows a close-up of a piece of paper with visible tears and creases, suggesting some form of damage or vandalism.

  2. The bottom photograph is titled "Cotton Pickers, Pulaski County, Arkansas, October 1935" by Ben Shahn. It depicts two individuals in long, white, flowing garments, possibly women, standing amidst a field of cotton. They appear to be picking cotton.

The page is placed on a beige or light brown background, possibly a folder or a display board, with two holes punched on the right side for binding or filing. The text on the page provides information about the photographs, including the artist, the title of the series, the date, and the location of the exhibition.

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The image is a black-and-white photograph of a page from a magazine or newspaper. It features two photographs and some text. The top photograph shows a close-up of a spiral-like structure with a line running through the center, possibly a scientific or artistic representation. Below this, there is a smaller photograph depicting a person standing in a field, wearing a long white dress or robe. The text on the page includes the name "Harvard Gazette" and a date, "April 9, 1976," suggesting the source and publication date of the content. The layout is typical of a magazine spread, with the photographs and text arranged to provide information and visual interest.

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The image shows a document that is probably a newspaper clipping. The newspaper clipping has two photographs, one above the other. The top photograph is a black-and-white image of a spiral structure with a long, thin object in the middle. The bottom photograph is a black-and-white image of a person standing in front of a tree with a white cloth hanging from it. The newspaper clipping has a date of April 9, 1976, and the name "Harvard Gazette" at the top.

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The image depicts a page from the Harvard Gazette dated April 9, 1976. The page features two photographs, each accompanied by descriptive captions.

Top Photograph:

  • Caption: "From John Divola's Conditioning Series (1974) at the Fogg 'Contemporary Photographs.'"
  • Description: The photograph appears to be a black-and-white image with a strong geometric composition. It shows a figure, possibly a person, lying on the ground, partially obscured by a large, dark, angular shape that resembles a beam or structural element. The figure is positioned in a way that creates a sense of tension and contrast, with the dark shape dominating the foreground. The background is blurred, drawing attention to the central subject and the interplay between the figure and the structure.

Bottom Photograph:

  • Caption: "Castro Pickers, Pulaski County, Arkansas, October 1953 by Ben Shahn—from the Fogg photo collection, on view Tuesdays and Thursday, 2:5–4."
  • Description: This photograph depicts two individuals, likely farmworkers, engaged in picking crops. They are dressed in work attire, with one person bending over and the other standing nearby. The setting appears to be an outdoor field, with sparse vegetation and a rugged, earthy terrain. The image conveys a sense of labor and hardship, capturing a moment of manual work in a rural environment. The black-and-white tone adds a historical and documentary feel to the photograph.

Overall Layout:

  • The page is framed with a light brown border, giving it a formal presentation typical of a newspaper or publication. The text is neatly arranged, with the date and source ("Harvard Gazette") at the top, and the captions positioned below each photograph. The layout is clean and organized, emphasizing the visual content while providing context through the accompanying text.

Contextual Notes:

  • The top photograph references John Divola's Conditioning Series, indicating an art exhibition at the Fogg Art Museum (now the Harvard Art Museums). Divola is known for his conceptual and minimalist photography.
  • The bottom photograph is attributed to Ben Shahn, a renowned photographer and social documentarian, and is part of the Fogg photo collection. The scene captures a moment of agricultural labor in Pulaski County, Arkansas, in 1953, reflecting themes of working-class life and rural America.

The page serves as a blend of artistic and documentary photography, showcasing diverse subjects and styles within the context of a university publication.

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The image presents a page from the Harvard Gazette, dated April 9, 1976, featuring two black-and-white photographs.

Photograph 1:
The top photograph showcases a piece of art titled "From John Divola's 'Vandalism Series (1974)' at the Fogg in 'Contemporary Photographs.'" The image depicts a close-up of a wooden structure, possibly a ladder or a beam, with a diagonal line running across it. The background is a light gray color, and the overall aesthetic suggests a minimalist approach to photography.

Photograph 2:
The bottom photograph is titled "Cotton Pickers, Bolivar County, Arkansas, October 1935 by Ben Shahn - from the Fogg photo collection, on view Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2-5 p.m." This image appears to be a photograph of two people, likely cotton pickers, dressed in white clothing, standing in a field. The background is a dark gray color, and the overall mood of the image is somber and reflective.

Page Layout:
The page is printed on a beige paper, which provides a neutral background for the photographs. The text is in black ink, and the layout is simple, with the photographs taking center stage. The page is placed on a gray surface, which helps to highlight the beige paper and the black ink.

Overall Impression:
The image presents a thought-provoking juxtaposition of two photographs from different eras and styles. The first photograph, with its minimalist aesthetic, invites the viewer to contemplate the relationship between the natural world and human intervention. The second photograph, with its somber mood, evokes a sense of nostalgia and social commentary. Overall, the image suggests that photography can be a powerful tool for exploring complex themes and emotions.

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The image depicts a page from the Harvard Gazette, dated April 9, 1976. The page features two black-and-white photographs of abstract art pieces.

Top Photograph:
The top photograph showcases an abstract piece with a white background and dark gray lines and shapes. The title of the piece is not visible, but it appears to be a mixed-media artwork.

Bottom Photograph:
The bottom photograph displays another abstract piece with a white background and dark gray shapes. This piece also lacks a visible title, but it seems to be a mixed-media artwork as well.

Caption:
Below the photographs, there is a caption that reads: "From John Divola's Vandalism Series (1974) - at the Fogg in 'Contemporary Photographs.'" This suggests that the photographs are part of an exhibition at the Fogg Museum, which is now known as the Harvard Art Museums.

Additional Text:
At the bottom of the page, there is additional text that reads: "Cotton Pickers, Pedestal, Country, Arkansas, October 1935 by Ben Shahn - from the Fogg photo collection, on view Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2-5 p.m." This text appears to be promoting another exhibition or event at the Fogg Museum.

Overall:
The image provides a glimpse into the artistic offerings of the Harvard Gazette in 1976, featuring abstract art pieces and promoting exhibitions at the Fogg Museum.

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The image presents a page from the Harvard Gazette, dated April 9, 1976, featuring two black-and-white photographs. The page is mounted on a brown paper backing, which is slightly larger than the page itself.

  • Page Details
    • Date: April 9, 1976
    • Publication: Harvard Gazette
    • Mounting: Brown paper backing
  • Top Photograph
    • Title: "From John Divola's 'Vandalism Series' (1974) - at the Fogg in 'Contemporary Photographs'"
    • Description: A black-and-white photograph depicting a vandalized or damaged area, possibly a wall or a structure, with visible signs of destruction or alteration.
  • Bottom Photograph
    • Title: "Cotton Pickers, Poinsett County, Arkansas, October 1935 by Ben Shahn - from the Fogg photo collection, on view Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2-5 pm"
    • Description: A black-and-white photograph showing two individuals, likely cotton pickers, in a field. The image is attributed to Ben Shahn and dated October 1935.
  • Background
    • The background of the image is a plain gray color, providing a neutral backdrop for the mounted page.

In summary, the image showcases a page from the Harvard Gazette featuring two historical photographs, one from John Divola's "Vandalism Series" and another by Ben Shahn documenting cotton pickers in Arkansas during the 1930s.

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The image presents a vintage newspaper clipping or photocopy, featuring two black-and-white photographs. The top photograph, titled "From John Divola's Vandalism Series (1974) - at the Fogg in 'Contemporary Photographs,'" showcases a close-up of a striped surface with a diagonal line running through it, possibly depicting a wall or fence.

The bottom photograph, captioned "Cotton Pickers, Polk County, Arkansas, October 1935 by Ben Shahn - from the Fogg photo collection, on view Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-5 p.m.," displays two individuals standing in a field, engaged in cotton picking. The clipping is mounted on a brown paper backing, which appears to be a folder or envelope, and features two holes punched along its right edge. The background of the image is a plain gray color.

Key Features:

  • Photographs: Two black-and-white images
    • Top: Close-up of a striped surface with a diagonal line
    • Bottom: Two individuals picking cotton in a field
  • Captions:
    • Top: "From John Divola's Vandalism Series (1974) - at the Fogg in 'Contemporary Photographs'"
    • Bottom: "Cotton Pickers, Polk County, Arkansas, October 1935 by Ben Shahn - from the Fogg photo collection, on view Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-5 p.m."
  • Mounting: Brown paper backing with two holes punched along the right edge
  • Background: Plain gray color