Untitled (San Francisco) c. 1970s

Curator: Bill Dane's "Untitled (San Francisco)" presents us with a captivating street scene, rendered in black and white. The image, now held in the Harvard Art Museums, captures a moment of urban life. Editor: There's a quiet melancholy about it, isn’t there? The high contrast and almost theatrical lighting create a sense of detachment. Curator: Absolutely, I think the image engages with broader issues of representation and anonymity within urban spaces. Note the woman, centered, almost a flaneur herself in this staged environment. Editor: And the figures around her, arranged almost as though they are aware of the central actor; it raises so many questions about who this city serves, and who it excludes. Curator: It’s a powerful piece, sparking conversations about urban existence and the stories we tell – and don't tell – about ourselves within them. Editor: Indeed, a compelling snapshot that invites us to consider the performance inherent to navigating public life.