Photography has become so fundamental to the way we see that 'photography' and 'seeing' are becoming more and more synonymous. The ubiquity of photography is, perhaps ironically, a challenge to curators, practitioners, and critics.
Trevor PaglenRead
Perhaps 'photography' has become so all-pervasive that it no longer makes sense to think about it as a discreet practice or field of inquiry. In other words, perhaps 'photography,' as a meaningful cultural trope, is over.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that photography has become so ubiquitous that it can no longer be treated as a distinct art form or area of study.
Trevor Paglen's quote captures the essence of how photography, once considered a unique art form with clear boundaries, has permeated every aspect of modern culture, leading to a saturation of images and a questioning of photography's role as a cultural symbol. This raises profound questions about the relevance and significance of photography in an age where everyone is a photographer, and every moment is captured, leading to the idea that photography might have lost its once-defined meaning.
Themes
PhotographyArtCultureUbiquityMeaningSymbolism
In practice
Example use cases
During a photography exhibition, the quote can be used to highlight the evolution of the medium.
More from Trevor Paglen
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People like to say that my work is about making the invisible visible, but that's a misunderstanding. It's about showing what invisibility looks like.
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