©Chris McCaw. Image courtesy of the artist.

Cirkut #7 (Galbraith Lake, Alaska, within the Arctic Circle, 31 hours)

Artist Chris McCaw (American, born 1971)

Date2015

MediumUnique constructed gelatin silver paper negative

Dimensions10 × 62 in. (25.4 × 157.5 cm)
Overall, Frame: 17 × 68 3/4 × 2 1/4 in. (43.2 × 174.6 × 5.7 cm)

ClassificationsPhotography

Credit LineMuseum purchase with funds provided by Mr. Michael Bakwin, Penny H. and Peter M. Meredith, Jr., Joseph Waldo and Ashby Vail, Susan and David Goode, Oriana McKinnon, Dr. Henry A. Garrity, Christina Goode, Martha M. Goode and Blair Mielnik, Virginia Clarke Hitch and John Hitch, Kirk and Amy Levy, Suzanne and Vince Mastracco, Charlotte and Gil Minor, Randy and Lelia Graham Webb, Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Rowland, and Adriane and Stephen Thormalen

Object number2017.2

On View

Not on view

DescriptionThis unique constructed gelatin silver negative is 10 x 62 inches, framed in a custom frame, and depicts an arctic landscape and the movement of the sun.
Label TextChris McCaw American, born 1971 Cirkut #7 (Galbraith Lake, Alaska, within the Arctic Circle, 31 hours), 2015 Unique constructed gelatin silver paper negative This photograph captures an entire day in a single image. To make it, artist Chris McCaw adapted a Cirkut camera—a panoramic camera from 1913 that pivots 360 degrees while film moves across the focal plane (similar to an iPhone’s pano mode)—and automated it to constantly focus on the sun. Taken in the Arctic Circle during the summer, McCaw’s photograph tracks the sun for 31 hours as it rises and sets. The result is a wave that never dips below the earth’s surface. Arctic winds and storms appear as dusty flourishes along the horizon. During clear skies, the sun’s rays scorched the photographic paper, giving the surreal image a tangible connection to reality. Museum purchase with funds provided by Mr. Michael Bakwin, Penny H. and Peter M. Meredith, Jr., Joseph Waldo and Ashby Vail, Susan and David Goode, Oriana McKinnon, Dr. Henry A. Garrity, Christina Goode, Martha M. Goode and Blair Mielnik, Virginia Clarke Hitch and John Hitch, Kirk and Amy Levy, Suzanne and Vince Mastracco, Charlotte and Gil Minor, Randy and Lelia Graham Webb, Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Rowland, and Adriane and Stephen Thormalen 2017.2