Long Island City, New York 1990

Editor: This is "Long Island City, New York" by James Welling, from 1990. It's a black and white photograph and feels quite stark, almost industrial. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a conscious engagement with the aesthetics of post-industrial landscapes, particularly the representation of overlooked or discarded spaces within the urban environment. Think about what Long Island City was in 1990; undergoing massive rezoning and redevelopment. Editor: So, it's almost like the photograph captures a moment of transition? Curator: Precisely. The choice of black and white, coupled with the subject matter – trains, possibly a depot – alludes to a specific history and public identity linked to industry and labor, one that was actively being reshaped. The photograph presents us with a reality that exists outside of the heavily curated image of New York City that we often encounter in media. Welling, through his choice of subject and aesthetic, seems to be challenging that glossy veneer, asking the viewer to consider what is lost or forgotten in the pursuit of progress. The image encourages you to ponder: Who benefits from these urban transformations, and whose histories are being erased? Editor: I never really thought of it that way before; it does invite you to question what stories get told, and what gets left behind. Thanks! Curator: Absolutely! It also shows how artistic choices can be powerful commentary on broader socio-political realities. Food for thought indeed.