Untitled (cars advertising used car carnival) 1935

Editor: This photograph, "Untitled (cars advertising used car carnival)" by Hamblin Studio, captures a car dealership, R.G. Edgerton & Company. The vintage cars parked outside look like they are part of some carnival. What can you tell me about the social context of this image? Curator: Well, consider the date. Though unknown, the cars, clothing, and signage certainly give us a sense of an era. It suggests a society embracing the burgeoning automotive industry and its influence on daily life and consumer culture. What statements do you think the dealership is making to the public? Editor: That it is a space for possibility and celebration, maybe? Curator: Precisely. The photograph, then, isn’t just about selling cars; it is about selling a lifestyle and contributing to the evolving visual landscape of commerce. I now see the building and cars as artifacts. What do you think? Editor: I agree. Thinking about it that way really changes how I see the image. Thanks!