Theater of Memory - Ellis Island 1984 - 1989

Editor: This is Gwenn Thomas's "Theater of Memory - Ellis Island," undated. It has such a ghostly, abandoned feeling. What does this image evoke for you? Curator: It makes me think about the intersection of memory and place, and how spaces like Ellis Island become stages for collective trauma and aspiration. How does the artist use light and shadow to convey these themes? Editor: It’s interesting how the light highlights the decay. What does that emphasize about the immigrant experience? Curator: Perhaps Thomas is suggesting that the promise of America, symbolized by the light, is always intertwined with the harsh realities faced by immigrants, represented by the shadows and decay. It's about confronting a complex history. Editor: I never thought about the shadows in that way before. Curator: Art gives us a space for such contemplation.