Untitled (girls tennis team) 1925

Curator: Looking at this image, there's a striking contrast between the darkness of the surrounding environment and the almost luminous figures of the girls. Editor: Yes, this is an image by Hamblin Studio, currently titled "Untitled (girls tennis team)" held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a photographic negative, measuring about 4 by 5 inches. Curator: The tennis rackets themselves become symbolic, representing not just a game, but also access, privilege, and the performance of a particular social identity for these young women. The very material from which tennis rackets were made is a fascinating study. Editor: I agree. There’s a certain defiance in their collective gaze, challenging societal constraints through sport and camaraderie. I wonder about the specific labor practices involved in producing the clothing they wear and the rackets they hold. Curator: Absolutely, and in this case, we're left to speculate how they navigate the dynamics of gender and class on the court. Editor: Food for thought. Let's move on.