Takashi Homma writes, "When you recreate a work of art, you enhance your understanding of its greatness. You'll find that what you intended as a total copy soon outgrows the boundaries of imitation, thus revealing the individuality of each photographer/creator." (The Photographer's Playbook 152).
Alfred Eisenstaedt's photo essay on cadet life, "Corps Values: Life at West Point, 1936," appeared in Life Magazine's second issue in November of 1936. The series of monochrome images (which are available online here) offers an insider's look at cadet academic and social life, military training, and the stark landscape of the Hudson Valley on the cusp of winter.
What struck me upon first seeing Eisenstaedt's collection was how much the same everything still looks: the architecture, the uniforms, the daily goings-on...Nevertheless, in spite of the adherence to traditions and values at the Academy, huge paradigm shifts have occurred since Eisenstaedt's visit. 25% of the faculty is now civilian. More than 20% of the Corps is female, a number which is on the rise since the opening of combat arms to women. Cadets may now be openly gay. The Corps is more racially and ethnically diverse as well: African-American, Hispanic, and Asian cadets are well represented, and West Point hosts about 60 international cadets at any given time.
Maybe, then, these "copies" form a study in how a civilian, Latinx like me even had the chance to make these images. I am heartily sorry that this series went unfinished when I left my teaching job there.
B&W images are by Alfred Eisenstaedt and owned by Life Magazine. Color images are original.
