Untitled (large group of men in prison uniforms staring at an unseen film screen) 1945

Curator: This haunting silver gelatin print at the Harvard Art Museums is titled, "Untitled (large group of men in prison uniforms staring at an unseen film screen)" by Jack Gould. Editor: The composition is striking; it's all these men in uniform, row upon row, their gaze fixed on something we can't see. There's a sense of eerie uniformity. Curator: Absolutely. The meticulous photographic process emphasizes the social context, particularly the institutional control inherent in prison systems and the spectacle of mass spectatorship. Editor: The material itself—the silver gelatin—adds to the gravity, doesn't it? It feels almost like a document, evidence of something. Curator: Indeed. The labor involved in creating such a print, each step carefully controlled, mirrors the regimentation depicted within the image. And the distribution of such images also plays a role in shaping public perceptions. Editor: Thinking about the unseen film, and the power dynamics inherent in that viewing experience, adds a whole other layer to this work. Curator: It’s a stark reminder of how images and institutions intersect. Editor: A chilling piece.