Jimmy Webster (Lower West Side series) 1985

Editor: This is Milton Rogovin's gelatin silver print, "Jimmy Webster (Lower West Side series)" from 1985. I'm struck by the direct gaze and stillness of the young man – he seems so self-possessed amidst what looks like a rather neglected neighbourhood. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Rogovin's photography is deeply rooted in social activism. His images of working-class communities are not just documentation; they're acts of bearing witness to lives often unseen and unheard. Consider the "Lower West Side Series" within the broader context of the 1980s: deindustrialization, urban decay, and the rise of neoliberal policies were devastating communities like the one Jimmy inhabits. Does this inform your reading of the image? Editor: Yes, it definitely adds another layer. Knowing that this was taken during a period of decline makes Jimmy's steady gaze seem almost defiant, or perhaps resigned? He’s not smiling. Curator: Exactly. Rogovin's work encourages us to think about the intersections of race, class, and urban space. The photograph, through its very composition, challenges the systemic forces that create these unequal living conditions. We need to ask ourselves about our positionality when viewing. Are we implicated in that system? What responsibility do we have towards communities like Jimmy’s? Editor: So, it’s less about aesthetic appreciation and more about…social responsibility? Curator: It's both. Rogovin’s mastery of light and shadow enhances the emotional impact. But his ultimate goal, I think, was to ignite social change, prompting reflection on our shared humanity and responsibility. Editor: I see what you mean. The quiet power of this image resides in its ability to invite conversation on urgent issues. Curator: Precisely. The simple act of looking can become an act of solidarity. Editor: This has made me realize there’s so much more to this image than what first meets the eye. Thanks for sharing your perspective!