Untitled (window display for Pendleton) c. 1950

Editor: Here we have an untitled photograph by John Deusing, depicting a Pendleton window display. The strong contrasts in the image create a striking visual. What cultural narratives do you see woven into this commercial tableau? Curator: Look at how the Pendleton brand, traditionally associated with Native American designs, is presented. The window is more than just commerce; it's a symbolic space. How does it reflect or perhaps reshape the cultural memory associated with the American West? Editor: So, it's playing with the established iconography? Curator: Precisely. Consider the wallpaper and the garments; they evoke specific cultural associations. How do these choices speak to the target audience, and what stories are they meant to tell about identity and belonging? Editor: It’s fascinating how much history is embedded in a seemingly simple image. Curator: Indeed. These symbols speak volumes about cultural identity and the way it is commodified and sold. A powerful image!