Untitled, from the series The Bitterroot River

Barbara Bosworth, Untitled, from the series The Bitterroot River, 1995-1997, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Haluk and Elisa Soykan, 2008.2.36, © 1995-1997, Barbara Bosworth
Barbara Bosworth, Untitled, from the series The Bitterroot River, 1995-1997, gelatin silver print, 7 589 58 in. (19.424.4 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Haluk and Elisa Soykan, 2008.2.36, © 1995-1997, Barbara Bosworth

Artwork Details

Title
Untitled, from the series The Bitterroot River
Date
1995-1997
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
7 589 58 in. (19.424.4 cm)
Copyright
© 1995-1997, Barbara Bosworth
Credit Line
Gift of Haluk and Elisa Soykan
Mediums Description
gelatin silver print
Classifications
Subjects
  • Waterscape — river
Object Number
2008.2.36

Artwork Description

The photographs in this series reflect on the intense connection our memory can form between people and place. Drawn from more than one hundred images made along Montana's Bitterroot River in the years following the death of a loved one, Bosworth later assembled them to create this narrative sequence. The solemn tone of the images speaks of resignation and vulnerability as currents and eddies slip along the river surface from one frame to the next only to disappear. But there is also affirmation and hope to be found in these graceful gestures—the arc of a young tree reaching across the river or a fish offered in outstretched hands—and reassurance in the continually renewing surface of the river: "I wanted to hold on to all the life that remained around me, and by securing my world in a photograph I convinced myself it could not totally be taken away."

Earth and Sky: Photographs by Barbara Bosworth exhibition label

Works by this artist (3 items)

Rico Gatson, History Lessons, 2004, four-channel video, color, sound; 10:12 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2015.7.2, © 2004, Aunrico Gatson
History Lessons
Date2004
four-channel video, color, sound; 10:12 minutes
Not on view
Rico Gatson, Gun Play, 2001, single-channel video, color, sound; 02:35 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2015.7.1, © 2001, Aunrico Gatson
Gun Play
Date2001
single-channel video, color, sound; 02:35 minutes
Not on view
Rico Gatson, Jungle, Jungle, 2001, single-channel video, color, sound; 02:40 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2015.7.3, © 2001, Aunrico Gatson
Jungle, Jungle
Date2001
single-channel video, color, sound; 02:40 minutes
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Cat Mazza, Knit for Defense, 2011-2012, single-channel digital video, black and white, surround sound; 9:10 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 2012.28, © 2012, Cat Mazza
Knit for Defense
Date2011-2012
single-channel digital video, black and white, surround sound; 9:10 minutes
Not on view
Kota Ezawa, LYAM 3D, 2008, digital animation, color, silent; 04:00 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible through Deaccession Funds, 2010.23, © 2008, Kota Ezawa
LYAM 3D
Date2008
digital animation, color, silent; 04:00 minutes
Not on view
Rico Gatson, History Lessons, 2004, four-channel video, color, sound; 10:12 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2015.7.2, © 2004, Aunrico Gatson
History Lessons
Date2004
four-channel video, color, sound; 10:12 minutes
Not on view
The Passage
Date2009
single-channel video, color, sound; 19:00 minutes
Not on view