Boom Box Possibly 1989 - 1994

Jim Goldberg's photographic print, "Boom Box," captures an urban scene with a gritty, informal aesthetic. The composition is asymmetrically arranged. The subjects' positioning, with the cropped faces and partial figures, destabilizes traditional portraiture, pushing it towards a fragmented representation of identity. Goldberg's choice of black and white enhances the textural qualities, accentuating the rough fabrics and worn surfaces. This stark contrast directs our attention to the material aspects of the scene and the social realities they imply. The boombox itself, held by one of the figures, acts as a structural anchor, suggesting themes of cultural expression and the performative nature of identity. The photograph's perspective and framing invite a reading through the lens of post-structuralism. Here, meaning is relational and contingent. "Boom Box" uses visual signs to convey the complexities of urban life, where identity is constructed.