City Arts & Lectures Richard Misrach
Nov 23, 2025
Richard Misrach, a pioneering contemporary photographer renowned for his large-format color work, delves into his latest project capturing cargo ships at the Port of Oakland. He discusses the transformative power of photography, how container ships serve as symbols of political significance, and his unique approach to using a single vantage point to document changing light. Misrach also reflects on the balance between aesthetics and activism, revealing how beauty can draw attention to urgent environmental issues. His artistry captures history while engaging viewers.
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Failed First Attempt, Revival During COVID
- Richard Misrach first tried photographing ships from the Bay Bridge in 1991 but gave up because his 8x10 camera was too shaky on the moving bridge.
- He shelved the idea until COVID lockdowns in 2020 revived the subject and he then photographed from a single secret vantage point for four years.
Ships As Shifting Global Symbols
- Container ships are polyvalent symbols that change meaning with events like wars, tariffs, or protests and reveal global systems at work.
- Misrach uses those shifting meanings to meditate on trade, labor, climate impact, and geopolitics over time.
Use Beauty As A Delivery System
- Make beautiful images to draw viewers in rather than rely on news-style immediacy; beauty is a delivery system for difficult content.
- Create work that lasts beyond the news cycle so viewers return to learn and reflect years later.
