Edward S. Curtis Chronicles Native Nations

Edward S. Curtis Chronicles Native Nations — page 3
American Indians Curtis replied that he had indeed already thought about doing just that The idea dawned on him Grinnell later recalled that here was a wide field as yet unworked Here was a great country in which still lived hundreds of tribes 1 Some of those groups Curtis had said still retain many of their primitive customs and their ancient beliefs 2 It would certainly CRITIQUES OF CURTIS Though he was well-meaning and a gifted photographer several modern Native observers say Curtis too often tried to romanticize Native Americans His goal they explain was to make them appear as the stereotypical noble savage of the past This ignored the reality that their cultures were already changing Some wished to adjust to modern American life Others kept their traditions as best they could as the US government outlawed their religions and languages and separated them from their children in government boarding schools Curtis is attacked most often and most legitimately art historian Lucy Lippard writes for failing to depict American Indian life and customs accurately His soft focus blurred what might have been improper details she says He staged scenes routinely retouched and faked night skies storm clouds and other dramatic lighting effects He erased unwelcome signs of modernity such as clocks and early automobiles 3 be a great achievement he added to use photography to preserve what was left of those cultures Today the use of words such as primitive in relation to Native cultures is jarring and racist but at the time the two men considered themselves sympathetic friends to the tribal members they met and photographed Grinnell wanted to help his friend make up his mind about tackling such a grand project To that end he invited Curtis to go with him to Montana There Grinnell said they would visit the Piegans or Pikuni one of the tribes of the 6