Second Avenue Deli, N.Y.C. Possibly 1973 - 1994

Curator: So, let’s talk about Richard Gordon’s gelatin silver print, "Second Avenue Deli, N.Y.C." It was most likely shot between 1973 and 1994. What's your take on this one? Editor: Stark. My first impression is… stark. It's this interplay of black cloaks hanging on hooks under the indifferent gaze of two men in a framed photo. Gives you that end-of-an-era vibe, you know? Curator: Exactly! And that's heightened by its monochrome palette and the utilitarian space, probably somewhere in that legendary deli. Note how Gordon plays with textures – the fuzzy coats, the slick sheen on one, the grainy picture. Editor: Good eye. The formality of that portrait hung above the... the hanging garments. The photo’s composition is undeniably structured, a formal arrangement of objects almost. Do you get a sense of… waiting? Curator: Waiting, loss, definitely. And yet, there's life in the periphery—hints of bustling activity outside the window that breaks through on the side. Editor: Yes, that subtle glimmer hinting at the deli beyond adds depth, preventing the image from feeling too claustrophobic or melancholy. This city block almost takes on the guise of still life. How is that possible? It almost captures a New York poem, Richard Gordon is just whispering for those that will listen. Curator: Exactly! You nailed it. These captured objects evoke a specific time and place, a slice of New York life. But more than that, I think, they speak to how time and decay permeate everything. Editor: So, despite its starkness, or perhaps because of it, this seemingly simple image has so many layers—about absence, memory, and the enduring spirit of a place, doesn't it? Thanks for showing it to me. I never thought I'd be moved by just hooks and jackets.