Hollywood (#1) Possibly 1988 - 1994

Editor: This gelatin-silver print, "Hollywood (#1)", comes to us from Jim Goldberg, possibly made between 1988 and 1994. It's got this noir feeling – gritty and shadowed, and yet the scene itself looks quite ordinary. What symbols do you find particularly striking in this image? Curator: The stark black and white immediately sets a tone, evoking classic Hollywood imagery while simultaneously undercutting the glamour we associate with it. Consider the electric poles cutting across the sky; these are visual reminders of modern society infringing upon our cultural myths, but they also speak to an archetypal vision of American infrastructure, recalling Atget and Walker Evans. How does the van, nearly blocking the young woman waiting, make you feel? Editor: It definitely feels ominous, like a disruption, even a potential threat. The van is so solid, and she's so exposed. Curator: Precisely. Think of the van as a symbol itself – of mobility, potential, perhaps even predation, particularly in the context of Hollywood's dark side. The young woman is leaning against a pillar on Hollywood Boulevard with a stack of what seem to be promotional photos. Notice how the harsh lighting contrasts with her hopeful pose, mirroring her uncertain position between dreaming and survival. The light, reminiscent of a stage spotlight, further pushes the idea of performance and being "on display," laden with symbolism about vulnerability. Editor: It’s like a collision of dreams and realities. What about the street lights and signs fading into the distance? Curator: Those distant lights are both beckoning promises and potential pitfalls, archetypes of pursuit that leave us wondering about where this figure is situated and what direction the story will unfold. Goldberg often uses layering, both physical and metaphorical, to explore power dynamics and social realities. This photo isn’t just a snapshot; it’s a coded visual narrative. Editor: I hadn't considered how many layers were truly at play. It’s fascinating how much Goldberg packs into what seems, at first glance, like just another street photograph. Curator: Indeed. It makes you reconsider what ‘Hollywood’ represents, doesn’t it? What begins as a dream-state is quickly cast under harsh artificial light to expose all its intricacies.