The Market Street home of William Randolph Hearst's publishing empire was in this building, which was designed by the famed architect Julia Morgan in 1909, and renovated in 1937. The ornamental grillwork over its front door brings a touch of deco nostalgia into the 21st century. I create an incongruity by juxtaposing this ornamental entry to the Hearst Building with a kiosk featuring an advertisement for men’s cosmetics. Just as Morgan created an ornamental screen for the building, the reflections in the curved glass of the kiosk offer a shimmering screen of light and shadow for the smoldering portrait behind it.
The entire image comes together, however, because of the words on the kiosk. The name of the city authenticates the scene – giving it a sense of place and identity.