Untitled (Pennsylvania?) Oct-35

Curator: This intriguing photograph, attributed to Ben Shahn, is titled "Untitled (Pennsylvania?)". It's a small, almost ghostly, silver gelatin print housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is organized chaos. The negative image creates a stark, almost unsettling contrast, yet there’s a compelling geometric structure in the lumber and scaffolding. Curator: Absolutely, the reversed tones emphasize the raw, utilitarian forms. Consider Shahn's focus on social realism; this could represent the plight and resilience of the working class. Editor: The composition, however, leans towards formalism. The stark lines and planes create a powerful abstract design, almost detached from its possible social context. Curator: But even in abstraction, the presence of building materials and scaffolding hints at the American dream, construction, and perhaps even its fragility. Editor: Perhaps you're right. Either way, it's undeniably captivating, regardless of whether you view it as symbolism or a visual puzzle.