{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1756583"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1756583/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2023NP8281/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2023NP8281/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2023NP8281","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1756583","accessionNumber":"PH.416-2023","objectType":"photograph","titles":[{"title":"Powerlines, Taylor, Texas","type":"assigned by artist"},{"title":"Hardtack (2020-23)","type":"series title"}],"summaryDescription":"The series Hardtack challenges traditional notions of Americana by paying gentle attention to the enduring traditions and folklore in the region where central/east Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi meet. The series takes its title from a dense and long-lasting biscuit – also known as survival bread – that was standard ration for the American military until the 20th century, referencing the resilience of African American culture. Depicting scenes of Praise Dancers, Rodeo Queens, Black horse riders parked in front of ‘Save a lot’ signs and southern rural landscape postmarked by abandoned shacks, the photographs present a world that ascends pervasive narratives of rural Black identity as one of simply servitude or oppression. Instead, as Fortune states, it brings forth the ‘boundless creativity and possibilities of the music and people who still contribute to this culture in a contemporary context.’ Each of the photographs is medium in scale, and portrays every day subject matter with dignified, graceful beauty, meaning this project is both document and artist statement.","physicalDescription":"Black and white photograph of a road through a flat landscape with powerlines running along the left-hand side. ","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Rahim Fortune","id":"AUTH393535"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"x40240"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"photographic paper","id":"AAT14190"}],"techniques":[{"text":"gelatin silver process","id":"AAT139114"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"","categories":[],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"DOP","id":"THES291628"},"images":["2023NP8281"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"100","id":"THES49934"},"free":"","case":"WE","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"photograph","id":"AAT46300"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"USA","id":"x29333"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"2023","earliest":"2023-01-01","latest":"2023-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[{"object":{"text":"PH.412-2023","id":"O1756579"},"association":""},{"object":{"text":"PH.413-2023","id":"O1756580"},"association":""},{"object":{"text":"PH.414-2023","id":"O1756581"},"association":""},{"object":{"text":"PH.415-2023","id":"O1756582"},"association":""},{"object":{"text":"PH.416-2023","id":"O1756583"},"association":""},{"object":{"text":"PH.417-2023","id":"O1756584"},"association":""}],"creditLine":"Purchase funded by the Photographs Acquisition Group","dimensions":[{"dimension":"","value":"","unit":"","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Photograph by Rahim Fortune, 'Powerlines, Taylor, Texas', gelatin silver print, 2023","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"<i>American Photographs</i> (V&amp;A, June 2025 - May 2027)\n\nRahim Fortune (born 1994)\n\r\n<i><b>Praise Dancers</b></i>\n2020\r\n\n<i><b>Powerlines, Taylor, Texas\n</b></i>2023\r\n\n<i><b>Save a Lot, Dallas, Texas\n</b></i>2023\r\n\nFrom the series <i>Hardtack</i>, 2020–23\r\n\nRahim Fortune’s Hardtack series documents Black lives in an area where Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi meet. Hardtack is an emergency food made of flour, water and salt, a means of survival in a harsh environment. In a poignant and poetic tribute, Fortune’s photographs celebrate the enduring traditions and folklore of African American culture in the South. The images reveal a history of dispossession through enslavement, but also moments of joy that resonate in everyday life.\r\n\nGelatin silver prints\r\nMuseum nos. PH.412, 416, 417-2023\r\n\nPurchase funded by the V&amp;A Photographs Acquisition Group","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}}],"partNumbers":["PH.416-2023"],"accessionNumberNum":"416","accessionNumberPrefix":"PH","accessionYear":2023,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-04-13","recordCreationDate":"2023-06-16","availableToBook":false}}