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The Rise of a Landmark: Lewis Hine and the The Rise of a Landmark - Ephemera

Fall 2013

The Rise of a Landmark: Lewis Hine and the Empire State Building Exhibition Catalog

Jill J. Deupi Fairfield University

Ed Ross Fairfield University

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Recommended Citation Deupi, Jill J. and Ross, Ed, "The Rise of a Landmark: Lewis Hine and the Empire State Building Exhibition Catalog" (2013). The Rise of a Landmark - Ephemera. 4. https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/hine-ephemera/4

This item has been accepted for inclusion in DigitalCommons@Fairfield by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Fairfield. It is brought to you by DigitalCommons@Fairfield with permission from the rights- holder(s) and is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/or on the work itself. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Rise of a Landmark: Lewis Hine and the Empire State Building Cities do not build themselves, machines cannot make machines, unless back of them all are the brains and toil of men. We call this the Machine Age. But the more machines we use From a bedrock pit to the colossus of the Manhattan skyline, photographer Lewis Wickes Hine (American, 1874- The Rise of a Landmark: Lewis Hine the more do we need real men to make and direct them. 1940) documented every foot of the construction of the monumental Empire State Building. In 1930 Hine began the treacherous ascent—safety belt in place and camera in hand—with the expectation of creating an ideal and the Empire State Building -Lewis W. Hine, Men at Work (1932) portrait of modern architecture. However, his resulting photographs of this yearlong project speak more of the integrity of the workers who toiled to perfect the structure than of the glorification of the building itself. The great American photographer Lewis Wickes Hine was committed to the expository nature of his craft. More than an art form, photography was for Hine a critical instrument, capable of promoting enlightenment and Before receiving the Empire State Building commission, Hine established himself as a champion of social reform. education by exposing prejudice, marginalization, and exploitation. A teacher by nature (he taught botany and His extensive portfolios depicted the holding rooms of , child labor-driven industries, and European nature studies at New York City’s Ethical Culture School from 1901 until 1908), Hine used his lens to highlight survivors of the First World War, earning him the title “The Father of Documentary Photography.” Hine’s Empire the bleak realities of a nation caught in the thrall of progress and mechanization. He championed the oppressed State photographs build on this theme of the human condition amidst the quickening pace of early 20th-century on whose backs industry was built and from whom modernity exacted a very high price, in human terms. Intensely society. Here he reveals each worker’s individual dignity and inherent link to the fabric of the towering structure. committed to the cause of social welfare, the rather introverted photographer focused his Graflex on child laborers, The gestures, the expressions—the presence—of people in the images remind us that buildings, and the cities immigrants, and the working poor (three categories that frequently overlapped), immortalizing their plights and they shape, are only built under the direction and innovation of humankind. ennobling their lives. The Lewis Hine collection at George Eastman House is the most frequently requested body of work in the The fact that many of Hine’s photographs were commissioned by investigatory bodies, including the National Child Museum’s archives. It consists of nearly 10,000 original photographs, negatives, and artifacts. The Photo League Labor Committee, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the , may encourage a documentary of New York donated the work to the Museum in 1955. The photographs in this exhibition are modern gelatin reading of his work. Look a bit closer, however, and you will discover carefully composed shots with individuals silver prints made from copy negatives and were printed by Barbara Galasso, head of the Museum’s Photographic whose faces, bodies, and gestures tell the stories of their lives. It is revealing, in this regard, to learn that Hine Services Department. himself referred to his photographs of the working poor – including those on view in The Rise of a Landmark: Lewis Hine and the Empire State Building – as “work portraits” (emphasis added); a nod to his steadfast desire to capture character as well as historical fact.

Indeed the nearly 1,000 exposures he took of the mammoth skyscraper as it rose wondrously from the ground

Lewis Wickes Hine, Engineer with Level, ca. 1931. Courtesy of George Eastman House. Lewis Wickes are as much about the men who created it as the impressive structure itself. In this Hine was demonstrating his commitment to memorializing mankind’s capacity for “productive” energy (his term), interwoven with an innuendo of moral judgments and social imperatives. The result, to which this exhibition bears ample witness, is a visceral This exhibition, which was on view at Fairfield University’s Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery from September 12 until record of the collision of man, nature, and technology. November 26, 2013 was originally organized by George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and The Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery is delighted to present The Rise of a Landmark, which was organized by Film, Rochester, New York. George Eastman House (Rochester, N.Y.). We extend our sincere thanks to the Eastman House staff for their collegial assistance with this project, above all, Olivia Arnone, manager of traveling exhibitions. We are equally grateful to our sponsors, Whole Foods Market and Moffly Media, as well as to our colleagues at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, without whose support such projects would not be possible.

Jill Deupi, J.D., Ph.D. Director and Chief Curator of University Museums

Guiding a Beam, Empire State Building, ca. 1931. Courtesy of George Eastman House. Hine, Guiding a Beam, Empire Lewis Wickes State Building, ca. 1931. Courtesy of George Eastman House. in Empire at Work Hine, Welder Lewis Wickes Cover Image: Lewis Wickes Hine, Icarus Atop Empire State Building, 1931. Courtesy of George Eastman House. 10. View of Empire State Building 17. Man on Derrick, Empire State Original photograph gift of the Photo Miscellaneous Workmen, Original photograph gift of the Photo 49. Burners Enlarging Holes on The Rise of a Landmark: Lewis Hine and the Empire State Building Under Construction, ca. 1931 Building, ca. 1931 League, New York; 1930-1931 League, New York; Girder, Empire State Building, From the series: Empire State Views From the series: Empire State ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Gelatin silver copy print ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine ca. 1931 CHECKLIST of New York, 1930-1931 Derrick Men, 1930-1931 Original photograph gift of the Photo From the series: Empire State 24. Sheet Metal Worker with Heating 45. Bob Long, Hoist Engineer, Empire All works by Lewis Wickes Hine (American, 1874-1940) Gelatin silver copy print Gelatin silver copy print League, New York; Burners, 1930-1931 Original photograph gift of the Photo Original photograph gift of the Photo Duct, ca. 1931 ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine State Building, ca. 1931 Gelatin silver copy print League, New York; League, New York; From series: Empire State From the series: Empire State Hoist Original photograph gift of the Photo 1. The “Best Brick-Layer in N.Y.” 4. Worker, Empire State Building, 7. Looking up Façade of Empire ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Plumbing/Heating, 1930-1931 41. Man with Rope and Pulley, Engineers, 1930-1931 League, New York; High up on The Empire State, ca. 1931 State Building, ca. 1931 Gelatin silver copy print ca. 1931 Gelatin silver copy print ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine ca. 1931 From the series: Empire State From the series: Empire State Views 11. Empire State Building Under 18. Avenue of Girders, Empire State Original photograph gift of the Photo From the series: Empire State Original photograph gift of the Photo From the series: Empire State Portraits, 1930-1931 of New York, 1930-1931 Construction, ca. 1931 Building, ca. 1931 League, New York; Miscellaneous Workmen, 1930-1931 League, New York; 50. Portrait of Lewis Hine, ca. 1931 Bricklayers, 1930-1931 Gelatin silver copy print Gelatin silver copy print From the series: Empire State Views From the series: Empire State ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Gelatin silver copy print ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine From the series: Personal Photos, Gelatin silver copy print Original photograph gift of the Photo Original photograph gift of Photo of New York, 1930-1931 Derrick Men, 1930-1931 Original photograph gift of the Photo 1935 Original photograph gift of the Photo League, New York; League, New York; Gelatin silver copy print Gelatin silver copy print 25. Man on a Hoisting Ball, Empire League, New York; 46. Engineer with Level, ca. 1931 Gelatin silver copy print League, New York; ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Original photograph gift of the Photo Original photograph gift of the Photo State Building, 1931 ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine From the series: Empire State Original photograph gift of the Photo ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine League, New York; League, New York; From the series: Empire State With Engineers, 1930-1931 League, New York; 5. Worker with Bucket, Empire State 8. Empire State Building From Street ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine the Ball, 1930-1931 42. Man on Beam, Empire State Gelatin silver copy print ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine 2. Welder at Work in Empire State Building, ca. 1931 Level, ca. 1931 Gelatin silver copy print Building, ca. 1931 Original photograph gift of the Photo Building, ca. 1931 From the series: Empire State From the series: Empire State 12. Empire State Building Under 19. Men on Derricks, Empire State Original photograph gift of the Photo From the series: Empire State League, New York; 51. From the Chrysler Building, From the series: Empire State Portraits, 1930-1931 Views of New York, 1930-1931 Construction, ca. 1931 Building, ca. 1931 League, New York; Miscellaneous Workmen, ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Construction of Empire State Welders, 1930-1931 Gelatin silver copy print Gelatin silver copy print From the series: Empire State Views From the series: Empire State ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine 1930-1931 Building, ca. 1931 Gelatin silver copy print Original photograph gift of the Photo Original photograph gift of the Photo of New York, 1930-1931 Derrick Men, 1930-1931 Gelatin silver copy print 47. Bronze Tablet in Empire State From the series: Empire State Views Original photograph gift of the Photo League, New York; League, New York; Gelatin silver copy print Gelatin silver copy print 26. Two Men in a Derrick Lift, ca. 1931 Original photograph gift of the Photo Building, ca. 1931 of New York, 1930-1931 League, New York; ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Original photograph gift of the Photo Original photograph gift of the Photo From the series: Empire State With League, New York; From the series: Empire State Gelatin silver copy print ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine League, New York; League, New York; the Ball, 1930-1931 ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Miscellaneous, 1930-1931 Original photograph gift of the Photo 6. Glimpse of Empire State from 9. Night View of City and Empire ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Gelatin silver copy print Gelatin silver copy print League, New York; 3. Portrait of Worker, ca. 1931 Subway, ca. 1931 State Building, ca. 1931 Original photograph gift of the Photo 43. Men with Derricks, Empire State Original photograph gift of the Photo ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine From the series: Empire State From the series: Empire State Views From the series: Empire State 13. Quarry Bar Driller, Empire State 20. Riveting at the Top of Mooring League, New York; Building, ca. 1931 League, New York; Portraits, 1930-1931 of New York, 1930-1931 Views of New York, 1930-1931 , ca. 1931 , 1930 ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine From the series: ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Building Mast Empire State Building State Building, 1931. Courtesy of George Eastman House. Hine, Man on a Hoisting Ball, Empire Lewis Wickes State Building, ca. 1931. Courtesy of George Empire Steel Worker, Hine, Eighty-Sixth Floor, Lewis Wickes Eastman House. Empire State Gelatin silver copy print Gelatin silver copy print Gelatin silver copy print From the series: Empire State From the series: Empire State Derricks at Work, 1930-1931 Original photograph gift of the Original photograph gift of the Photo Original photograph gift of the Photo Foundation Men, 1930-1931 Riveters, 1930-1931 27. Man on Girders, Mooring Mast, Gelatin silver copy print 48. Man with Cutting Torch on Photo League, New York; League, New York; League, New York; Gelatin silver copy print Gelatin silver copy print Empire State Building, ca. 1931 Gelatin silver copy print Original photograph gift of the Photo 37. Carpenter Laying Down Walking Original photograph gift of the Photo Girders, ca. 1931 ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Original photograph gift of the Photo Original photograph gift of the Photo From the series: Empire State Original photograph gift of the Photo League, New York; Platform, ca. 1931 League, New York; From the series: Empire State League, New York; League, New York; Laying Beams, 1930-1931 League, New York; ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine From the series: Empire State ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Burners, 1930-1931 ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Gelatin silver copy print ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Miscellaneous Workmen, 1930-1931 Gelatin silver copy print Original photograph gift of the Photo 34. Group of Workers, Empire State Gelatin silver copy print 44. Unloading Trucks, ca. 1931 Original photograph gift of the Photo 14. Derrick Man, ca. 1931 21. Heating Rivets, Empire State League, New York; 31. Climbing Up The Beams on the Building, ca. 1931 Original photograph gift of the Photo From the Series: Empire State League, New York; From the series: Empire State Building, ca. 1931 ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Empire State-100 Stories Up, From the series: Empire State League, New York; Derricks at Work, 1930-1931 ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Derrick Men, 1930-1931 From the series: Empire State ca. 1931 Groups, 1930-1931 ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Gelatin silver copy print Gelatin silver copy print Riveters, 1930-1931 28. Putting its Cap on. The Highest From the series: Empire State Gelatin silver copy print Original photograph gift of the Photo Gelatin silver copy print Point Ever Reached on a Man- Mooring Mast, 1930-1931 Original photograph gift of the Photo 38. Steel Worker Standing on Beam League, New York; Original photograph gift of the Photo Made Structure, ca. 1931 Gelatin silver copy print League, New York; Gives Illusion of Touching Tip of ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine League, New York; From the series: Empire State Original photograph gift of the Photo ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Chrysler Building, ca. 1931 ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Mooring Mast, 1930-1931 League, New York; From the series: Empire State 15. Derrick Man Empire State Gelatin silver copy print ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine 35. Steel Workers Setting Beams, Miscellaneous Workmen, 1930-1931 Building, 1931 22. Plumbers with Large Pipe Elbow, Original photograph gift of the Photo Empire State Building, ca. 1931 Gelatin silver copy print From the series: Empire State ca. 1931 League, New York; 32. View of New York City from From the series: Empire State Original photograph gift of the Photo Derrick Men, 1930-1931 From the series: Empire State ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Empire State Building, Looking Miscellaneous Workmen, 1930-1931 League, New York; Gelatin silver copy print Plumbing/Heating, 1930-1931 South, ca. 1931 Gelatin silver copy print ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Original photograph gift of the Photo Gelatin silver copy print 29. Steel Work, Mooring Mast, Empire From the series: Empire State Views Original photograph gift of the Photo League, New York; Original photograph gift of the Photo State Building, ca. 1931 of New York, 1930-1931 League, New York; 39. Icarus Atop Empire State Building, ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine League, New York; From the series: Empire State Gelatin silver copy print ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine 1931 ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Mooring Mast, 1930-1931 Original photograph gift of the Photo From the series: Empire State 16. Derricks Empire State Building, Gelatin silver copy print League, New York; 36. Eighty-Sixth Floor, Steel Miscellaneous Workmen, 1930-1931 ca. 1931 23. Plumbers Using Pipe Threader, Original photograph gift of the Photo ex-collection Lewi Wickes Hine Worker, Empire State Building Gelatin silver copy print From the series: Empire State Empire State Building, League, New York; Construction, ca. 1931 Original photograph gift of the Photo Derrick Men, 1930-1931 ca. 1931 ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine 33. Workmen with Flag, Mooring From the series: Empire State League, New York; Gelatin silver copy print From the series: Empire State Mast, Empire State Building, Miscellaneous Workmen, 1930-1931 ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Original photograph gift of the Photo Plumbing/Heating, 30. Steel Work, Mooring Mast, Empire ca. 1931 Gelatin silver copy print League, New York; 1930-1931 State Building, ca. 1931 From the series: Empire State Original photograph gift of the Photo 40. Guiding a Beam, Empire State ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine Gelatin silver copy print From the series: Empire State Groups, 1930-1931 League, New York; Building, ca. 1931

Lewis Wickes Hine, Derrick Man, ca. 1931. Courtesy of George Eastman House. Lewis Wickes Mooring Mast, 1930-1931 Gelatin silver copy print ex-collection Lewis Wickes Hine From the series: Empire State