Capturing Early Arkansas in Depth: The Stereoview Collection of Allan Gates, a new exhibit at Historic Arkansas Museum, opened last Friday. It explores early photographs of Arkansas.
In a world before motion pictures and color photographs, stereoscopic photography captured the attention of millions. These affordable 3-D images created a phenomenon that spanned the last half of the nineteenth century, bridged demographic and socioeconomic gaps and provoked discussions about the nature of reality and truth, science and art.
Unlike traditional studio photographers, stereo photographers took their cameras outdoors to capture life as it occurred, giving a documentary quality to many of the images.
Today, stereographs serve as a meaningful source for studying the 1800s. In Arkansas, these views are a window into the growth of a young state, early tourism, railroad expansion and a unique culture and people.
Capturing Early Arkansas in Depth continues in the Arkansas Made Gallery through April 5, 2015.
Little Rock Culture Vulture 