San Francisco Possibly 1973 - 1994

Richard Gordon made this gelatin silver print of San Francisco. It seems like he was interested in artmaking as a process of capturing moments. The material aspects of this work are all about texture and light. The smooth, reflective surfaces of the metal objects contrast with the rough, grainy texture of the concrete. There's a strong play of light and shadow. Take a look at the way the light catches on the metal, creating bright highlights and dark shadows. It's like Gordon is using the light to sculpt the forms, giving them a sense of depth and volume. It's like the piece itself is an ongoing conversation about how to see the world. Gordon’s work reminds me of other photographers like Aaron Siskind, who were interested in abstraction. These artists embraced ambiguity, using their work to suggest possibilities rather than prescribe fixed meanings.