Hicksville c. 1979

Curator: Here we have Eric Baden's photograph, "Hicksville," part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: My first thought? Utter desolation. It’s like a cinematic still from a forgotten, melancholy film. Curator: The setting certainly speaks to that. Baden captures a stark scene, debris scattered on asphalt, a broken branch, and even a discarded photo. It's a commentary on suburban decay. Editor: Precisely! The lone, framed photo amidst the refuse…it hits hard. Who were these people? What stories unfolded here? It stirs an odd sense of voyeuristic sadness. Curator: And think about the title, "Hicksville." It suggests a critique of idealized notions of community and belonging. Baden asks us to consider what happens when those ideals crumble. Editor: Yes, and the black and white intensifies that starkness. It strips away any illusions of beauty, leaving only the harsh reality of neglect. This image stays with you. Curator: Indeed. It serves as a potent reminder of the social and environmental consequences of unchecked progress and abandoned promises. Editor: Absolutely. It makes you wonder what becomes of all the lost photos and discarded dreams in places like this. Grim, but thought-provoking.