Michael McGlathery

Michael McGlathery

This (relatively nondescript) photo was taken near the intersection of Gove St and Lubec St in East Boston. I took this picture because it aligned with the theme of my walk – I was counting “recesses” the bordered the sidewalk, places like alleyways and dark staircases where the private and public spheres blurred together. I was interested in this blurring because of Jane Jacobs’ assertion that the two realms must be kept explicitly separate for the sake of maintaining order and fighting barbarism on city sidewalks. Seeing alleyways like this in person drove Jacobs’ sentiment home for me – this alleyway and its shadows seemed a perfect refuge for conspiracy, violence, or chaos.