Stories of California: Outstanding Photography of the Golden State
This SDG will study the many stories of California revealed in outstanding photographic images documenting the life and times of California. We will read Kevin Starr’s excellent book California for historical context and background on the evolution of the Golden State. From online digital archives, discussion leaders will select outstanding photographic images that examine subtopics detailed in the SDG schedule, including California’s gold rush era, immigration, California’s changing environment, its economic and population explosions, the hard times, wartimes, and fun times explained in Professor Starr’s essays and revealed by California’s finest photography.
We will study great California photographs—by legendary photographers as well as by diverse artists whose works are rarely seen—to understand the California experience beyond what traditional narratives and statistical studies alone can explain. Outstanding images selected by the discussion leaders will facilitate discussions of weekly themes drawn from Kevin Starr’s survey of the golden state and reflected in online photographic collections of UC Berkeley, the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress and other photographic resources.
Week 1 (May 2): Introduction to California Themes, Photography and Archives. Early California photography from 1850 reveals the emergence of a new society in an extraordinary landscape. At our first meeting, topics in the SDG schedule will be explored as an introduction to the themes, photographers and photographic archives available for participants to select digital images and prepare discussion questions based on our weekly subtopics and designated weekly readings. Read: Kevin Starr, California, Preface, Chapters 1-3.
Week 2 (May 9): The California Gold Rush and Early Development. The discovery of gold shortly after the American annexation of the California Republic triggered a massive invasion of fortune hunters from throughout the nation and the world. The entry of California into the union in 1850 as a free state began the growth of California as a major economic and political force, as strikingly documented by the earliest forms of photography produced in the state. Read: California, Chapters 4 and 5.
Week 3 (May 16): California’s Natural Resources and Environment. The exceptional mountains, forests and rivers of the state reflect the rich resources and virtues of California celebrated by John Muir, Teddy Roosevelt and countless others. California inspired artists, writers, thinkers and photographers to create profound new impressions of this state throughout the world, forming dreams of California that have attracted millions to visit the golden state, and to remain. Read: California, Chapter 6.
Week 4 (May 23): Californian Industry, Agriculture and Economic Growth. In the 20th century, the exceptional resources of California, and the accelerated infusion of immigrants, fueled an explosion of economic development, and have made California the fifth-ranked economy in the world, an agricultural powerhouse, and the center of new industries, as reflected in great photography from the era. Read: California, Chapter 7.
Week 5 (May 30): Depression and Hard Times. Hour 1: Both famous and unknown photographers managed to capture images of the endless bread lines and hopeless migrant workers in California during its era of industrial and agricultural collapse. Hour 2: Hard times spurred strikes and protests, controversial labor unions, political reform movements and new social welfare programs. Read: California, Chapter 8.
Week 6 (June 6): War and its Impact on California. The Second World War transformed California industry, demographics, and growth, producing the sudden expansion of California’s military and industrial infrastructure. The migration of war workers and soldiers, the internment of Japanese-Americans, and the arrival of European refugees altered the various meanings of the term “California dream.” California, Chapter 9.
Week 7 (June 13): California Science, Industry and Technologies. Post-war expansion of California’s technological and industrial economies, California’s massive aerospace industry, and its educational systems catapult California to become dominant in American economic and technological development. California, Chapter 10.
Week 8 (June 20): Hollywood and the Arts. California became a magnet to artists, musicians and actors. Hour 1: Iconic photographic images from Hollywood have created an indelible impression of California throughout the world. Hour 2: Powerful visions of California have drawn artists, actors and creative talent to California over the decades. Read: California, Chapter 11.
Week 9 (June 27): California’s Immigration Experiences. California has become home to scores of vibrant immigrant populations which have enriched Californian culture. Each encountered enormous challenges in the search for a better life in California. Hour 1: Mexican, U.S. pioneer, European, African American migrations. Hour 2: Chinese, Japanese, Soviet, and Middle-Eastern immigration. Read: California, Chapter 12.
Week 10 (July 11): California and the Future. The exceptional growth of California, its endless suburban development and its countless new communities, pose the greatest challenges to its future and resources. Read: California, Chapter 13.
This SDG will examine the stories of California utilizing Kevin Starr’s California and outstanding California photography produced over the past 150 years, accessible to participants from online California photographic archives and related collections and digital resources, including:
Smithsonian online photographic archives;
Library of Congress online photographic archives;
UC Berkeley online photographic archives
Kevin Starr, California (Modern Library 2007).
https://calisphere.org/
UC Berkeley and other photographic archives