Street Scene c. 1935 - 1943

Arthur Zaidenberg made this print, "Street Scene," using, I imagine, a linocut or woodcut technique to carve his vision of urban life. Looking at it, I feel the intensity of the city. It's black and white, but there's so much energy. I think of Zaidenberg meticulously cutting away at the block, each line defining the chaos and closeness of the buildings, the people, and the cars crammed into the space. The high contrast emphasizes the drama and bustle of the street. There’s a sense of claustrophobia, but it’s also exhilarating, like a party that’s a bit too crowded but still fun. I can imagine Zaidenberg, an artist with a keen eye, deciding what to keep and what to leave out, making choices to emphasize certain parts and downplay others. His image-making echoes the works of other artists who celebrate the mundane yet marvelous aspects of everyday life. And it reminds me that all art is a conversation, a back-and-forth across time. We look, we interpret, and we respond, adding our own voices to the chorus.