Friedrichstrasse, Berlin 1961

Editor: This is Don McCullin's "Friedrichstrasse, Berlin". It's a photograph, and the scale makes the tank seem even more imposing, yet ordinary people are walking by. How do you interpret this work? Curator: McCullin's image presents a powerful commentary on the normalization of conflict. The tank, a symbol of military might, becomes almost mundane against the backdrop of war-torn Berlin. Editor: So, its power comes from revealing how society adapts to conflict? Curator: Precisely. It asks us to consider the role of photography in shaping public perception of war and the politics embedded in seemingly objective imagery. Editor: I see it now; it's not just a photograph of a tank, it's a statement about society's relationship with conflict. Thanks! Curator: Exactly! Understanding the socio-political context shifts our understanding of the image entirely.