Caz / Blade 1979

Editor: We're looking at "Caz / Blade" by Henry Chalfant, from 1979. It seems to be a photograph documenting graffiti on New York City subway cars. The overall vibe is energetic and raw; there’s so much going on! What's your take on this image, what do you see here? Curator: This isn't just documentation; it’s a frozen moment of rebellion and vibrant self-expression. Think about it, those subway cars were canvases screaming through the city, transforming public space. What strikes me is the ephemeral nature Chalfant’s lens captures. Editor: Ephemeral? Because it’s not permanent? Curator: Precisely. Graffiti existed for a fleeting moment before being washed away, painted over. This image, it immortalizes it, doesn't it? Chalfant gifted us a chance to truly *see* it, to study the complex lettering and those wildstyle characters that would have been a blur to any fleeting passenger. And don't forget, these artists, like Caz and Blade, were actively rewriting the city’s visual narrative. What do you think the average commuter back then would have felt seeing these? Editor: Probably a mixed bag - some maybe annoyed, others inspired? I definitely feel the energy you mentioned though. Looking at it now, there is something very inspiring in taking back a space and making it your own, if only for a moment. Curator: That's the magic of art, isn't it? A captured moment inspires even 40 years on! It also feels quite timely, to see art evolve, mutate and even disappear at times to be preserved by people, things and movements bigger than itself.