Leslie, John 1985

Editor: This is Elsa Dorfman’s “Leslie, John” – a large-format Polaroid from 1985. The subjects’ intense stares and close proximity create an intimate, almost confrontational mood. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a powerful subversion of traditional portraiture. The Polaroid medium itself democratizes the image, contrasting with the often elitist world of fine art portraiture. Consider the gaze – who has the power here? Is it the artist, the subjects, or us, the viewers? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't thought about the power dynamics at play. Curator: And what about the context of the AIDS crisis in the 80s? Could this portrait also be read as a statement about chosen family and the urgency of connection in the face of profound loss? Editor: Wow, that adds a whole new layer of meaning. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: It's through these layers of social and historical context that we can truly appreciate the depth and complexity of Dorfman's work.