This relationship, between the railroad, the landcape, and the mediating lens of the camera, is the subject of “Permanent Way,” a new exhibition at apexart in Tribeca, that places contemporary American railway photography in the context of historical images and documents from the nineteenth century, when the railway first made its way across the country. It’s an unusual show in that it is historical in nature but not particularly pedantic — there are no meandering wall texts — this no doubt reflecting the background of curator Brian Sholis, a former editor at Artforum and now a doctoral student in American history.
“Permanent Way” runs through July 28 at apexart (291 Church Street, NYC). On July 8, Sholis will lead a New York walking tour tied to the show.
