In 1936, Arthur Rothstein created the black and white photograph, Migrant Family Oklahoma, which depicts a family of six in front of their car. Through his lens, Rothstein captured the realities of migrant farmers displaced as a result of the Dust Bowl. This image, which was commissioned by the Farm Security Administration as a part of a larger series, is still a valued historical document today. This podcast explores the impacts of photography on the American public during both the 1930s and the present day. How did photographers such as Arthur Rothstein, Dorothea Lange, and Walker Evans shape our view of major historical events like the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression? What are the ethical concerns surrounding Rothstein’s photograph Migrant Family Oklahoma and other documentary photographs by the Farm Security Administration? Tune in to hear more!
This podcast is part of the Crop and Click series featuring student research on documentary photography from our collection. Click here for a portfolio of all the works discussed in the series.
Hosted and produced by Clementine Paarlberg and Eno Little. Cover art by Lucy Sherman '23.