Untitled (man sitting behind desk in office) c. 1950

Editor: Here we have an untitled photograph, showing a man at a desk, by Jack Gould. The composition is interesting, almost like a stage set. How do you interpret this work? Curator: I see an exploration of labor and the materials of office life. The desk, the phone, even the portrait behind him--all tools and signs of a particular kind of work. How does the photographic process itself, the development and printing, contribute to the overall impact, do you think? Editor: That's a great point. The negative effect creates a sense of displacement and suggests a deeper look into the socio-economic context of the individual. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. Thinking about the materials brings a new perspective.