Untitled (man behind desk, with products) 1954

Editor: So, this is "Untitled (man behind desk, with products)" by Peter James Studio. It's a small, black and white photograph that seems to be advertising some products. What do you see in this piece, focusing on its material aspects? Curator: Look at the texture of the desk, the surfaces of the product containers. The photograph highlights the manufactured objects, underscoring their role in commerce and daily life. Note how the man in the background almost blends in with the window blinds. Editor: He’s like another product! Do you think the composition is then questioning the value of labor versus the value of consumer goods? Curator: Precisely. The photograph forces us to consider the means of production and the social context surrounding these goods. The labor of the man and of manufacturing the goods are presented in the same image, blurring the boundaries. What did you observe? Editor: It really makes me think about where things come from, and who makes them.