Hollywood (#2) Possibly 1989 - 1994

Editor: This is "Hollywood (#2)" by Jim Goldberg, potentially created between 1989 and 1994. It’s a black and white photograph featuring two young women, with a somewhat unsettling and ambiguous mood. What strikes me is how posed and yet unposed they appear, a tension there. How do you interpret this work? Curator: That tension you mention is key. Goldberg's work frequently addresses social issues through the lens of individual experience. Given the title, “Hollywood,” and its possible dates, I wonder what commentary is being made about the film industry's impact, particularly on young women. Are these aspiring actresses, or are they simply caught in Hollywood's orbit? Editor: So, the title itself becomes a question, a framing device, instead of just a descriptor? Curator: Exactly. The photograph invites us to consider how places like Hollywood can shape identity, aspiration, and even vulnerability. Notice the girl wearing what seems to be a sheriff’s badge. What could that signify within this Hollywood context, perhaps playing with the idea of power, of law and order, or perhaps ironically of the lack thereof? Editor: Interesting. It's a little ironic that a place famed for fantasy relies on these symbols of control. I'd not considered the public perception of the entertainment industry. Curator: Goldberg is often interested in the spectacle and the structures propping it up. Thinking about street photography traditions, how does Goldberg frame these subjects to involve the viewer into that spectacle? How does he manage that delicate balance? Editor: It's like a backstage pass, but we are not sure whether to celebrate or critique what we see. I am definitely left with a lot to think about, especially regarding the power dynamics represented in the image. Curator: Absolutely. Goldberg prompts us to analyze not only what we see, but also the broader socio-cultural forces at play, shaping perceptions of individuals within specific spaces, Hollywood in this case.