Bathers at Brighton Beach

Bathers at Brighton Beach

This photograph many other photographs from the era—especially in regards to World’s Fairs and Exhibitions—in that it does not focus so much on the physical attributes of Brighton Beach or Coney Island as a whole, but rather on the people and the activities which they engage in. This is indicative of the attraction of the island as a while, that it was concentrated on the social break from the city and the open, beautiful surrounding that was there rather than the metropolitan development they were used to in Ne York City. The photographic focal point of this photograph is on the people, centered with the horizon the only representation of the development and hotels which surrounded the beach. As a souvenir or marketing stereoscopic image—one side missing—one is attempting to remember or attract visitors through the people and the social activity, not the incredible sights or developments. Human activity is the focus, not embodied in creations or monuments, results or classification, but on the radical activity of recreation as such, only the actual activity.

Added by Ben Kaplow

Copyright 'Strohmeyer & Wyman'

Library of Congress Photograph Archive

Library of Congress Photograph Archive

May 7, 1891

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2005677851/