Jersey Lu Blacked Out Possibly 1988 - 1994

Editor: This photograph, "Jersey Lu Blacked Out," by Jim Goldberg, possibly taken between 1988 and 1994, is a striking gelatin silver print. The subject's closed eyes and the dark tones create a somewhat melancholic mood. What do you see in this piece, looking beyond the immediate impression? Curator: I see layers of cultural memory embedded within the stark contrasts. The closed eyes immediately call to mind the classical depictions of sleep, of Orpheus and Eurydice, a descent into the unconscious. Given the title, do you perceive a connection to the cultural idea of being "blacked out" as a symbol, perhaps, of a loss of control or awareness? Editor: That’s an interesting perspective; I was so focused on the aesthetic. I didn't really consider that "blacked out" could symbolize something beyond just the photographic tones. Curator: Precisely. Goldberg’s work often delves into societal margins. This image, with its high contrast and grainy texture, feels both intimate and distanced. Consider also the timeframe – late 80s, early 90s. What kind of cultural anxieties might be present? Does the subject's appearance trigger any associations? Editor: Maybe anxieties around economic hardship or drug use… It looks like it could be the representation of struggles being faced, reflected in the disheveled look. Curator: It might. Consider the photograph as a mirror, reflecting anxieties but also reflecting our own gaze and preconceptions back at us. What is the cumulative weight of that symbolic layering? Editor: So, it's not just a portrait, but a reflection of societal and personal struggles symbolized through the figure. Curator: Indeed. A powerful reminder that images carry meaning far beyond their surface. Editor: I hadn't thought about the various layers of symbolism embedded in such a seemingly simple image. This makes me appreciate the complexity of Goldberg’s work even more.