Untitled (copy negatives done by studio, men manufacturing metal bars) c. 1945

Curator: This photographic print, approximately 8 by 10 inches, is an untitled work by Harris & Ewing, and it features copy negatives depicting men manufacturing metal bars. The images, rendered in negative, present scenes from a metalworking facility. Editor: The high contrast creates a stark, almost alienating atmosphere. There’s something unsettling about seeing this industrial labor in negative space. It's like a ghostly record of industry, with the focus on manual labor. Curator: Yes, I think it highlights the physicality of the labor involved. We see the workers interacting directly with raw materials, pouring molten metal and carefully arranging the cooled bars. The materiality of metal production is brought to the fore. Editor: Absolutely, and it raises questions about the conditions these workers faced. The uniformity of their outfits and the repetitive nature of their tasks speak to the dehumanizing aspects of industrial work, even if unintentionally. Curator: It reminds us of the collaborative processes, the division of labor, and the social systems that are a part of art and industry. Editor: The negative image almost inverts our understanding of progress, forcing us to consider the human cost behind material production. Curator: A somber yet crucial perspective, emphasizing the value of reflecting on the processes and histories behind these images. Editor: Indeed, it encourages us to think critically about the narratives we construct around labor and materiality.