Untitled (large construction project; building a highway) 1954

Editor: This photograph, "Untitled (large construction project; building a highway)" by Jack Gould, captures a massive construction site. The inverted tones make it look almost apocalyptic. What do you think it tells us about its time? Curator: Well, considering its focus on infrastructure, this photograph likely reflects the mid-20th century's emphasis on urban development and expansion. It's interesting to consider how such projects reshape not only the physical landscape but also social structures and access. Editor: So, you’re suggesting it might be about more than just building a road? Curator: Precisely. It prompts us to think about who benefits from such developments and whose communities might be disrupted or displaced. The image also carries an eerie, dehumanized quality, highlighting the scale of these projects in relation to individual lives. Editor: I hadn't considered the social impact of infrastructure like that before. Thanks for the insight! Curator: My pleasure. It's always revealing to view art through a historical and social lens.