Midnight, Hollywood Boulevard 1989

Jim Goldberg’s photographic print, *Midnight, Hollywood Boulevard*, captures a moment seemingly suspended in time. The grayscale palette emphasizes the stark contrast between light and shadow, inviting us to consider the interplay of form and content. I love the way Goldberg lets the tonal range bleed into the surfaces of the pinball machine and arcade game, softening their hard edges. It's almost like he is painting with light. The figure in the shot, slumped over the arcade game, seems at once absorbed and isolated in the glow of the screen, like a study in introspection. The texture of the photographic paper adds a tactile dimension to the image, enhancing its emotional resonance. As a painter, I’m interested in how artists manipulate their chosen medium to create depth and meaning. Much like the sharp foreground focus softens into a blurred background, these choices create a sense of ambiguity and openness, allowing for multiple interpretations. Goldberg's work reminds me of Nan Goldin's portraits of marginalized communities, which also seek to make the unseen seen. Ultimately, art thrives on its ability to evoke emotion and spark dialogue.