New York City 1929 - 1930

Walker Evans made this gelatin silver print, New York City, using a camera, and I imagine, a darkroom! The grayscale tones give it this timeless feel, like a memory half-recalled. Look at the woman, she's got this hand-to-chin gesture, a classic pose of worry or contemplation. It reminds me of all those times in the studio when I’m staring at a canvas, trying to figure out what to do next. That’s the real New York! And the man, with his cap and vest, he looks like he's about to launch into a sales pitch. I mean, what are they talking about? Is she buying something from him? Or is he explaining something she doesn't understand? The ambiguity of the moment, the frozen interaction, it’s like a little play, a scene from everyday life, documented with such casual precision. Evans’ work always reminds me of Atget, capturing these fleeting moments of urban existence. It’s a reminder that art isn't just about grand statements, it’s about paying attention to the little things, the silent dramas that unfold around us every day.