San Francisco Skyline c. 1925

Editor: We’re looking at Dassonville’s "San Francisco Skyline," a black and white photograph. It feels…dreamy, almost faded. What sort of visual language do you see at play here? Curator: The flags atop the buildings, faint yet present, speak volumes. They are symbols of civic pride, but also of something more transient, like aspirations themselves. Does the image feel celebratory or melancholic to you? Editor: I see both now that you mention it. The flags suggest aspiration, but their faded quality hints at something lost. Curator: Exactly. Images often carry layered meanings, reflecting the cultural memory embedded within them. The photograph freezes a moment, transforming it into a symbolic landscape we can still engage with. Editor: It’s amazing how a simple photograph can hold so much. Thanks for sharing your insights.