Label Text:
In New Mexico (Indians in street), the interaction of text and figures engages issues of the construction of racial identity. Meyerowitz’s photograph features a shop that sells “Western” items, such as boots, belts, and “SADDLE GOODS,” evoking thoughts of cowboys. A painting on the wall, of an Indian in a loincloth and headband with a bow and arrow, further evokes the folkloric American Wild West. The men in the photograph, however—identified in the title as Indians—do not resemble the clichéd representation of a Native American on the wall. In fact, because they are wearing hats, button-down shirts, jeans, boots, and decorated belts, they look more like the imagined cowboy. The street signs in the upper right corner succinctly communicate the key question: Is there only “ONE WAY” to “WALK” like an Indian?
MD, PHOTOdocument exhibition, March 30, 2012-July 22, 2012
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=AC+2000.441.10 |
