The Spanish Communist Party had organized their last weekend a mass meeting on farmland outside of Madrid, over 250,000 people flocked to this fiesta which was a combined political rally, rock concert, and Sunday picnic. The authorities were unable to cope with this Spanish type “Woodstock” as thousands of cars jammed the highways in and out of Madrid and people huddled from the rain inside their vehicles, Spain, June 13, 1977
Leonard Freed, American, 1929 - 2006
1977
Gelatin silver print
Image: 6 × 8 15/16 in. (15.2 × 22.7 cm)
Sheet: 7 × 9 7/16 in. (17.8 × 23.9 cm)
Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth: Gift of Scott Osman, Class of 1980
2019.111.33
Geography
Place Made: United States, North America
Period
20th century
Object Name
Photograph
Research Area
Photograph
Not on view
Label
Leonard Freed captures a dense image of cars and roads, overwhelmed and useless. The thoroughfares bisect and dominate the landscape, yet still there is not enough space—gridlocked cars stretch as far as the eye can see. Freed’s photograph draws attention to the consequences of monopolized private travel and its effect on the individual. Yet the title text evokes a scene of community as travelers reject the isolation of their vehicles and gather outside. In this situation where each driver is losing autonomy with regard to their travel, can personal vehicles still be understood as a luxury?
From the 2026 exhibition A Space for Dialogue 132, Class, Community, and Commute: Representations of Private and Public Travel in the Late 19th and 20th Centuries, curated by Javier I. Baluyut ‘26, Mellon Intern
Exhibition History
A Space for Dialogue 132, Class, Community, and Commute: Representations of Private and Public Travel in the Late 19th and 20th Centuries, Javier I. Baluyut ‘26, Mellon Intern, Alvin P. Gutman Gallery, Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, September 5 - October 25, 2026.
Provenance
Collection of Michael Mattis, Scarsdale, New York; sold to Harley and Stephen C. Osman, Stamford, Connecticut, date unknown; given to present collection, 2019.
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