Untitled (Sausalito) c. 1970s

Editor: This black and white photograph, Untitled (Sausalito) by Bill Dane, captures three figures by the water. There's a raw, almost confrontational energy to the woman on the left. What do you make of the emotional weight of this image? Curator: The woman’s expression is quite striking. What visual cues suggest to you that she is in distress? Are we seeing a contemporary Pietà, perhaps, where the conventional symbols are replaced by modern anxiety? Consider her posture, the gesture of her hands, the way she’s isolated from the other figures. Editor: I see. The contrast between her and the more stoic figures beside her definitely amplifies that feeling. It is a very modern take, for sure. Thank you! Curator: Indeed. The photo evokes a sense of our shared emotional heritage. It’s a powerful reminder of how images can carry layers of meaning across time.