Bus Stop Possibly 1989 - 1994

Editor: Jim Goldberg’s "Bus Stop," possibly taken between 1989 and 1994, is a stark, black and white photograph. The blurred movement of the bus creates such a feeling of urgency, and it makes the stillness of the figure holding a bible so much more intense. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The photograph invites us to consider the convergence of faith, mobility, and urban existence. What narratives are embedded within this seemingly simple scene? Consider the late 20th century. What were the socio-political conditions? Editor: I see an individual holding up a bible as if trying to hail the bus. Was there perhaps a rise in religious movements during this time? Or maybe it's commentary on the inaccessibility of faith, trying to reach a moving, modern world? Curator: Precisely. Goldberg often focused on marginalized communities. The act of holding the Bible up becomes a poignant gesture. Is it an attempt to find salvation, a form of protest, or perhaps a desire to be seen and heard within a rapidly changing society? This image challenges us to unpack complex power dynamics. Who has access, who is in transit, and what belief systems do they carry? Editor: That makes me consider the backdrop even more - the towering buildings and the anonymity of the city amplifying that sense of isolation and the need for connection. Curator: Exactly! The "Bus Stop" transcends a simple snapshot; it is a meditation on faith, social mobility, and the search for meaning in an often alienating urban landscape. It urges us to question whose voices are amplified and whose are obscured within the city's relentless flow. Editor: Thank you. It really changed my view of the image. I hadn't considered how layered and political a photograph of this kind could be. Curator: It has been a privilege; images are more than just what's on the surface!