Rockport, Indiana 1973

Curator: Here we have "Rockport, Indiana" by William Carter. The image dimensions are roughly 16 by 24 centimeters. Editor: My first impression is the mundane nature of the scene, it feels utterly unglamorous. Curator: Exactly. Carter's work is often focused on representing everyday life, ordinary people, and the vernacular architecture of his time, without romanticizing it. Editor: You can almost smell the talc and hair tonic! The barber's labour is evident, but so too is the consumerism inherent in the products lined up on the shelf. Curator: Indeed, Carter presents both the means of production and the culture it serves. It's a stark reminder of the social structures underpinning these commonplace interactions. Editor: He seems to capture the quiet dignity of labor, a record of a time and place. Curator: I agree, and this photograph offers a fascinating glimpse into a specific social and economic moment in American history.