Gas Line, Wantagh State Parkway c. 1978

Curator: Eric Baden's photograph, "Gas Line, Wantagh State Parkway," captures a moment of shared experience, though the exact date of its creation remains unknown. Editor: It’s got this slightly anxious, waiting-for-something vibe. All those cars and people just… there. Like a scene from a play where the tension builds with each passing moment. Curator: Indeed. The image becomes a record of communal anticipation, laden with symbolism. Consider the gas line itself—a signifier of dependence, resource scarcity, and collective anxiety during a period of energy crisis. Editor: And that woman perched on the car. It is hard not to feel something for her. She’s so present and disconnected at the same time. Maybe that is the real symbol. Curator: I agree, there is that. It's a powerful image that resonates on multiple levels. Editor: Absolutely. It leaves you pondering the many layers of meaning embedded within that one captured moment.