Friday, January 22, 2010

Sidewalk Bowl


This pink and green tiled alcove is in the doorway of a deserted bar on Potrero Street near 14th in San Francisco. I walk past this place most afternoons on my way to the gym, and most afternoons the same tall skinny homeless man is inhabiting the doorway, loudly arguing with people nobody else can see. If he is not there, his blankets and belongings still mark the spot for him. I took this picture of the bowl and spoon left behind on the sidewalk one recent day when their owner was nowhere in sight. I felt at the time that I might be violating my own moral instinct, such as it is, in taking this picture. I suspected I was violating the man's privacy – or exploiting the fact that he has none.