Untitled (display for wood primer) c. 1950

Editor: This photograph by Durette Studio captures an "Untitled (display for wood primer)." The stacked cans of Cuprinol really give it a sense of repetition, almost like a minimalist sculpture. What kind of cultural memory does this image trigger for you? Curator: The Cuprinol display case immediately reminds me of the post-war era's fascination with efficiency and material progress. The promise of “protection” and “stabilization” through a single coat speaks to a cultural desire for permanence, for warding off decay – both literal and symbolic. What does it suggest about our relationship with nature? Editor: I hadn't considered the fear of decay aspect! I see now how this image reflects deeper anxieties and aspirations.