Untitled 1992

Editor: This photograph, simply titled "Untitled" and dated 1992, is by Thomas Roma. It looks like a gelatin-silver print, capturing a gathering of people in what seems to be a moment of prayer or reverence. What really strikes me is the mix of the everyday, like the UCLA t-shirt, with the deeply spiritual atmosphere. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, that juxtaposition you pointed out is key. I see layers of meaning embedded in this image. Roma’s work often captures moments of intense emotion within very specific social contexts. Notice how the black and white lends a timeless quality, almost like a visual echo of historical photographs depicting faith and community. But the contemporary clothing, that UCLA shirt you mentioned, anchors it firmly in its time, creating a dialogue between past and present. Editor: So, that tension is deliberate? Curator: I believe so. Consider the clasped hands, a universal symbol of prayer. But in what kind of space are they clasped? How does that change the reading? Does that shirt introduce ideas of class? Ambition? Access to education? The choice of attire subtly introduces cultural narratives into the space of worship, challenging any simple, singular understanding of faith. The arrangement creates a new iconographic reality for those figures present in that space. Editor: That's a compelling idea. So the photograph itself becomes a kind of symbol… or a cultural record? Curator: Exactly. Roma isn't just documenting; he is layering symbols, creating a visual text rich with cultural information, ready for the viewer to interpret and reinterpret based on their own experiences and understanding. What emotional impact does it have on you as you view this photograph? Editor: It makes me think about how identity and faith intersect and interact in everyday life and how that has changed over time. I now understand that "Untitled" suggests a myriad of potential meanings! Curator: Precisely, and in that interpretive freedom is a great opportunity.