Pet Rat Possibly 1989 - 1994

Curator: Looking at Jim Goldberg's gelatin silver print, possibly created between 1989 and 1994, we encounter "Pet Rat." It's quite striking, isn't it? The textures are remarkable for a photograph. Editor: Yes, it evokes an immediate sense of youthful unease. The grainy, high-contrast monochrome lends itself to this feeling. There is such raw emotion present in the subjects, but tell me more. Curator: The image focuses on a young person wearing a Rush t-shirt with wet hair and what appears to be a pet rat perched on their arm. It seems the work has its roots in street photography, a space Goldberg’s worked within extensively. One must question his chosen materials – specifically why he opts for gelatin silver prints rather than something else. Editor: It amplifies the narrative by lending it a certain temporal ambiguity, doesn't it? The choice speaks to subcultures, and I'm keen to dive in with some sociohistorical context to add an even deeper layer to your insights around materials. The rat as a symbol, alongside the Rush t-shirt, feels like it hints at the disaffected youth of the period, marginalized communities perhaps expressing themselves through unconventional means. Curator: Exactly! There’s an honesty and raw emotion inherent in these choices, it reflects a realness and an engagement with often unseen sections of society, especially around class. Goldberg’s lens capturing these fragments allows a particular truth and story to be visible, it allows light to hit, almost tangibly on certain narratives that wouldn't otherwise be there. Editor: I agree. The rat becomes almost like a talisman—a symbol of embracing the rejected or misunderstood parts of the self. There is an unapologetic attitude in simply being oneself. The very conscious decision-making is also critical, whether this work or the communities or sociohistorical contexts that influence art production and art making. Curator: Precisely, by considering his selection of materials as active choices that add a particular layer, we start to see even more about the wider complexities within his work and the stories he seeks to tell. It challenges conventional fine art photography of the time. Editor: So, through an analysis of the symbolism alongside its socio-historical framework, this photograph does far more than capture an image. It offers commentary on subcultures and societal perceptions. Curator: A powerful snapshot rendered thoughtfully! Editor: I think it’s an important and engaging photograph to continue the conversation on these issues.