New York 53 1982

"New York 53" (1982) is a striking black and white photograph by Aaron Siskind (1903-1991). Siskind's "urban landscapes" series focused on the abstract qualities of city environments, often capturing peeling paint and other textures. In this particular image, the artist highlights the fragmented, yet structured, nature of urban decay through a close-up view of layered and peeling paint on a wall in New York City. The stark contrast between the black background and the fragmented white paint creates a sense of visual tension and emphasizes the abstract patterns of the urban environment. Siskind's unique vision transformed ordinary cityscapes into powerful works of art.