Untitled (man playing indoor badminton, leaping to hit shuttlecock) c. 1950

Curator: This photograph, simply titled "Untitled (man playing indoor badminton, leaping to hit shuttlecock)," is by Jack Gould. The gelatin silver print captures a moment of intense athleticism. Editor: The composition immediately strikes me. There’s a powerful sense of upward movement and dynamism. The diagonal lines of the body create a really compelling tension. Curator: The photograph encapsulates the post-war idealization of the body and sport. However, we should also consider the racial dynamics in play; how the Black body is framed within certain athletic contexts. Editor: Absolutely. The badminton net itself, a recurring motif, takes on a deeper symbolic value. It represents division, boundaries, and perhaps, even access. Curator: Precisely. It's a visually stunning image, but it also prompts critical reflection on who gets to occupy this space, and on what terms. Editor: It’s amazing how a simple image of sport contains so much about history and identity.