Skateboarding, Oasis Alley, Hollywood Possibly 1988 - 1994

Editor: Jim Goldberg's gelatin silver print, "Skateboarding, Oasis Alley, Hollywood," likely from the late 80s or early 90s, strikes me as stark and somewhat lonely. There's a sense of urban isolation, despite the human presence. What social commentary do you see at play here? Curator: I see Goldberg capturing a specific moment of marginalized youth culture finding its space. The alley, a space of neglect, becomes a site of freedom and self-expression through skateboarding. Oasis Alley becomes a stand-in for larger socio-political realities. Editor: That makes sense. The high-contrast black and white emphasizes the grittiness of the environment, which also speaks to societal neglect. Curator: Exactly. And consider the date. Late 80s, early 90s in Hollywood… what communities often get left out of the narratives of the "American Dream" being sold? How does this single frame challenge mainstream representations? Who gets to define spaces, who gets to be visible, and why does it matter? Editor: It challenges the dominant narrative by centering those on the periphery – in this case, a skateboarder in an unglamorous, almost dystopian, alley. The black and white aesthetic amplifies the bleak reality, too. Curator: And by extension, consider how that choice impacts who feels seen or unseen today. Where do we continue to ignore similar stories, similar landscapes of disenfranchisement? What images still need capturing? Editor: I never thought about the picture being a challenge for who can exist where, but I can’t unsee it now! Curator: Good. Art’s not about answers; it's about catalyzing these important questions, pushing against norms.