New York 1987

Curator: Up next we have "New York" a black and white photograph by Rosalind Solomon from 1987. Editor: What immediately strikes me is how Solomon uses the monochrome palette to heighten the sense of occasion, almost theatrical. The way light reflects off the polished table, contrasts so strongly against the dark candles and outfits…it's compelling. Curator: It's definitely staged, isn't it? More like a tableau. Solomon was very interested in how photography documented social rituals and family celebrations in different communities. This seems like a carefully constructed depiction of one, probably in New York. Editor: The composition really draws the eye; the verticality of the candles opposes the horizontality of the bread and then softened by the curve of flowers. Plus there's that curious photo-within-a-photo adding another layer. The framing feels very deliberate. Curator: Precisely! It feels very loaded with symbolic meaning. Consider how the photograph centers on themes of communal sharing. Bread breaking has historic ritual meaning. Yet those formal white jackets, the severity of the presentation – is Solomon trying to make us think about the public display of private life? She often probed the performance of identity. Editor: It makes you wonder about the subjects - two uniformed men looking at this spread and what emotions, actions, or social settings that invokes. Curator: Absolutely, but even if we knew for sure who these individuals are, or where in the City this event took place, the real focus may be on the underlying systems of values being enacted. The picture seems to comment on those types of settings across a large social swath. Editor: What do you find most striking then in considering your socio-political frame? Curator: Probably, that such everyday scenes often act to reinforce the boundaries and values around intimacy and belonging in our lives. What about you? Editor: For me, it is the masterful orchestration of visual elements. From dark shadows and soft details to a very well chosen monochromatic palette, it gives an incredibly profound impact. It invites me to consider all the potential interpretations we could project upon such ordinary scenes. Curator: An apt concluding sentiment on this fascinating shot by Solomon!