Accession Number
1983/1.295.8

Title
Church Steps and Blacksmith Shop

Artist(s)
George A. Tice

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1965; printed 1971

Medium & Support
gelatin silver print on paper

Dimensions
14 1/8 in x 11 in (35.88 cm x 27.94 cm);19 5/16 in x 14 5/16 in (49.05 cm x 36.35 cm);4 5/8 in x 4 7/16 in (11.75 cm x 11.27 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of the Marvin Felheim Collection

Subject matter
This photograph is one of twelve views of the abandoned gold town Bodie, California, that George Tice produced as a portfolio in 1971. The view seen here juxtaposes the wooden steps of a church, pictured from a slightly oblique view, with the façade of the former blacksmith's shop seen in the distance. Tice's clever composition sets up a parallel between the steps and the building in the background, collapsing space so that the two structures appear to be close together and similar in size. While Bodie is significant from a historical point of view as a ghost town that remains largely intact, Tice reveals its formal qualities to be equally fascinating.

Physical Description
A photograph of abandoned wood buildings.

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
buildings
churches
churches (institutions)
ghost towns
gold towns
modern and contemporary art
smithies
stair
steps (stair units)