Assignment 3

Photograph of Object
Introduction
Martha Rosler created The Bowrey in Two Inadequate Descriptive Systems between 1974 and
1975. The work contains forty-five components of gelatin silver prints on the right side of a
board, and text describing different slang for drunkenness on the left. This work is highly
conceptual in nature, and it takes a moment of thought and reflection before you can piece
together the correlation between the words, images, and concept.
Analysis: Physical Properties

The prints are small, abundant, and mounted on 20 boards of about 12”6. Each of these are
framed in the same composition very neatly and enclosed by the black boards. These works
being so small and laid out so neatly calls in the viewer for closer and more personal inspection.
These take up so much space with text and images so small so that the work can call the viewer
in closer to study it.

Analysis: Form
Secondly, we can assess the form of the work. Space is very symmetrical. Each image is split
evenly between the space a small amount of text takes up and the actual image. This begs the
question of “why didn’t the artist simply caption these images?”, and I believe Rosler didn’t
caption these works instead because she wanted the text to seem equally as important and
inviting as the images themselves. The colors are very monotone black and white, but if you
study closely the images have a bit of saturation to them. The washed out-colors somehow
make the empty locations seem even less likely than they would in black and white. Line is
presented here in the presentation of the work itself. The borders of the text, the black
bordering the margins, and the frames arranged in a grid all create examples of intentional line.
Line is also found within the works themselves quite frequently through sharp angular
architecture and construction aspects.

Analysis: Subject Matter

Next, we will analyze the subject matter. The literal subject here is the Bowery located in
Manhattan’s lower east side. However, the absence of human subject contrasted with the
endless human impressions shown in her images depict a metaphorical portrait of the state of
New York following the economic crisis post-Vietnam War. Subjects of these images specifically
include abandoned storefronts and abandoned alcohol containers. Studying people’s trash and
what they discard really studies what a person or society may be going through.

Analysis: Context
The historical context of this work is the economic downfall of New York’s economy following
the Vietnam War. Many of the words included in the panels take note of this such as “dead
soldiers” or “dead marines”. After Vietnam there was a heavy uptick in homelessness and
alcoholism among veterans returning to New York. The Bowery was a place left nearly
abandoned by those who maintained it and replaced by returned soldiers who struggles to re-
integrate with society.

Justification: Concept

As the work is a conceptual piece, the concept must be explored and studied by viewers rather
than being always innately obvious. There is a lot of text and images to work through when
viewing it, and oftentimes pieces of the puzzle come together progressively when studying a
work with this layout. After spending time with the prints, one will realize the connection
between alcoholism, abandoned storefronts, New York, and military references. What makes
this work, as well as many other conceptual pieces, enjoyable is the provocation of thought.
These images do not spell it out for you, and that piques our natural curiosity to investigate and
ultimately reflect on the commentary of the work.
Justification: Comparison
This work, The Bowery in Two Inadequate Descriptive Systems, best compares to From Here I
Saw What Happened and I Cried by Carrie Mae in the postmodernity to 1999 module. Similarly,
her work includes photography and text to invoke thoughts about black history. However, one
difference between these works is that Carrie Mae appropriated past imagery while Martha
Rosler creates her own images documenting a space that she personally felt calling to her. I feel
both works complement each other in the sense of making the audience think to achieve a
higher level of awareness and understanding of the works content.

Conclusion:
In summary, Rosler’s works provides an excellent example of conceptual work urging viewers to take
their immersion into art a step further by studying and reflecting on a topic rather than it being spelled
out for them. Therefore, it should be included in the Postmodernism to 1999 module, as it expresses
this without appropriating images and ideas and illustrates a greater concept than just the subject of the
photos.

Sources consulted:

Folland, Dr. Thomas, and Dr. Thomas Folland. “Martha Rosler, the Bowery in Two Inadequate
Descriptive Systems.” Smarthistory, https://smarthistory.org/martha-rosler-the-bowery-in-
two-inadequate-descriptive-systems/
Feedback used:

I was careful about spacing and headings and fonts lining up.