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October 6, 2008
I see that the State Library of NSW has been uploading some of its archival images onto Flickr. Good for them---the history of our visual culture is now entering the public domain for us to explore, interpret and situate ourselves in relation to this history.
My interest was caught by this set---First Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-1914) that was photographed by Frank Hurley amongst others, including Harold Hamilton and Xavier Mertz. Alas the images uploaded are small so I have turned to the National Library of Australia's extensive collection:
Frank Hurley, [Slate formation at Cape Hunter?, Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914] circa1911 and 1914], gelatin silver print.
I've been digging around a bit more on the NSW State Library's Flickr set and I stumbled on this and then discovered the larger images:
Frank Hurley, [A cavern beneath the coastal ice-cliffs with Whetter standing near entrance, Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914] circa 1911-14, gelatin silver print
These archival images are important because they provide us with the material to construct a history of Australian photography that is different from the US modernist one. The latter has been so influential in terms of shaping the practice of contemporary Australian photographers that we cannot see alternative to the modernist history of photography.
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