Untitled (baby climbing into crib) c. 1950

Editor: Here we have an intriguing gelatin silver print of a baby climbing into a crib, simply titled "Untitled" by Lucian and Mary Brown. The high contrast and domestic scene give it such a peculiar feel. What's your perspective on it? Curator: I'm drawn to the chairs, crib, and dresser—the manufactured objects that define domestic labor. How do the materials used to construct these items reflect societal values around childhood and care? Consider the accessibility, the labor. Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't considered the social implications of the furniture itself. It makes you think about who made these objects. Curator: Exactly! The photograph is less about the baby and more about the means of creating a domestic space, capturing labor and class relations. Editor: I now perceive so much more in this ordinary scene. Thanks for this perspective on materiality. Curator: Indeed, by analyzing material production, we gain insights into the societal structures shaping our lives.