Untitled (three men in police department, one man's hands in another man's pants) c. 1950

Editor: This is an intriguing untitled photograph by Jack Gould, from the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like a candid shot of three men, and the description mentions inappropriate touching. What do you make of this piece? Curator: Given the title and subject matter, it's hard not to see this as a commentary on power dynamics, particularly within institutions. The "police department" setting suggests a critical look at the labor practices within these organizations, and perhaps even questions of accountability and consent. Editor: How so? Curator: Well, the photograph itself becomes a material document of a specific moment, but also an artifact loaded with social implications. Who is producing the work, who is depicted, and where will the images be consumed? These are crucial questions. Editor: That's a good point. I hadn't considered the photographer's role in capturing and distributing this image. I see how that might be central to its meaning. Curator: Exactly. Examining the means of production invites us to consider who benefits and who is exploited in the process.