Buenos Aires, 2005, in Tucuman Street Possibly 2005 - 2014

Leo Rubinfien made this photograph in Buenos Aires on Tucuman Street in 2005, with light and shadow, and probably a camera, right? I imagine Rubinfien walking along with his camera, suddenly drawn to this man's gaze, his suit, the way the light hits him. What was Rubinfien thinking in that moment? Was he nervous to ask? Did he steal the shot? You know, sometimes the best paintings are made when you are just walking along. The grayscale tones create such a contemplative mood. There's a certain formality in the subject's attire, but his gaze is what really captivates me. It's like he's caught between worlds, present but also lost in thought. He looks a bit like my uncle. The light divides the image and hits the figure right down the middle. It's as if Rubinfien is exploring themes of identity, place, and the human condition—very painterly themes, actually! Artists like Rubinfien, like painters, contribute to a larger conversation about seeing and being, reminding us to look more closely at the world and people around us.