“As a fledgling street photographer strolling up and down the streets of cities, I quickly became aware of Time and its erosive power. …for it seemed to me that what was about to vanish was important and irreplaceable, and frankly, I wanted my photographs to offer, in some manner, the power of resuscitation. Actually, I still do, though I no longer believe that photographs can prevent the homely past from being plowed under; rather, I believe that photographs – especially good photographs that compel our interest – help us to remember; and even more importantly, they help us to decide what is worth remembering.” — John Rosenthal –Exhibition lecture, National Humanities Center
Mr. Rosenthal expresses my own feelings as I walked a once vibrant, commercial street this past Sunday; and this, surrounded by an upscale, residential, neighborhood. Forty percent of the commercial buildings now stand empty; some for years. The fashion boutique shops – some gone; one remains; yet, looking shabbier with each visit. The independent coffee shop and a chain restaurant – long gone. A food market, hardware store, one upscale restaurant and a movie theatre hang on. The independent bookseller struggles to survive under new management.
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