© 2021 Oscar Palacio
About the Project
“With the series American History Re-visited, Palacio continues his interest in quizzical human constructions seemingly plopped atop “natural” patches of American landscape. In these images his focus shifts from the humble and everyday to a more formal, public arena. In his new photographs of historic sites and monuments, Palacio moves beyond the subject of staking out individual turf to address the more complex matter of the fostering and maintaining of a national identity. While photographing such iconic places as Plymouth Rock, Hoover Dam, and, most recently, Gettysburg National Military Park and Underground Railroad sites, Palacio considers the function of these revered memorials: What narratives do they posit and perpetuate? Who or what is celebrated or excluded at such sites? In pondering these questions—particularly the last—Palacio is struck by the parallels between these commemorative markers and photography itself. Neither a single monument (no matter how monumental) nor an individual photograph (no matter how graphic) can possibly convey an entire story. Both require the viewer to negotiate between what he or she knows and what viewpoint of the story is being represented—and privileged.”
-Allison Kemmerer, Mead Curator of Photography and Curator of Contemporary Art, Addison Gallery of American Art