Untitled (man on runway near large Air Force jet) c. 1950

Curator: This photograph by Jack Gould, simply titled "Untitled (man on runway near large Air Force jet)," presents an intriguing scene. Editor: The composition strikes me. The figure's back faces us, dwarfed by the immense plane, a feeling of cold war unease pervades. Curator: The tangible elements are key: the cold war era materials, the specifics of the air force uniform, the labor implied by runway maintenance. Editor: But consider the rifle slung over his shoulder – a clear symbol of power and protection, juxtaposed against the vast, empty runway. It hints at vulnerability. Curator: Vulnerability certainly exists in the supply chain of manufacturing the equipment. The artist is presenting a glimpse of production, labor and output. Editor: Absolutely, yet these potent images are laden with meaning. Even the crisp blue sky feels symbolic, promising a peace that is also a threat. Curator: I see the process and social implications of a country at war. Editor: And I see the echoes of that conflict resonating through time, captured in this single, unsettling image.