Trip #201 Hackstown Street to Monastery Street, Southside Slopes, Pittsburgh took place on October 5, 2018, and was published on October 19, 2018.
A printed photograph is an image of a time and place captured and preserved through a chemical process onto a surface. We might choose to define or judge a photograph by certain standards, technical or creative. We might analyze the composition or the subject. What has been captured? How it is presented? What were the intentions of the photographer, the response of the viewer? Ask too many questions and we can think ourselves into a state where the visual all but disappears, replaced by letters on a page, words in our ears. Most times, it’s better not to let language get in the way. The photograph has its own quiet way of communicating what was present in the past and what may be remembered in the future. But your mind needs to be still in order to hear that.
Field Notes: Six sidewalk steps right before St. Joseph Way between Hackstown Street and Monastery Street. Got a nice view of downtown! This photo kind of reminds me of Ron Donahue painting.
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
See the Risograph print of this photo and story in the Mis.Steps Shop.
Be a good neighbor! Have you visited these stairs and found them in poor condition or that illegal dumping (large items like tires, old furniture, and construction debris) and trash were abundant in the area? There are two things you can do to take action and make our city steps cleaner and safer for everyone! First, grab a photo if you can, and submit a report to Pittsburgh 311. All problems, both broken stairs, and railings, as well as trash and dumping, should be reported to the city. You can easily do this online or by calling. If the location has an abundance of illegal dumping and trash, also contact Allegheny Cleanways, letting them know the location and the nature of the garbage. Thank you!!
