Untitled (baton twirler) c. 1952

Curator: Immediately I'm struck by the scale and the materiality, it's a small gelatin silver print, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Yes, the composition initially feels unsettling, with the twirler's pose creating a visual imbalance. The stark lighting flattens the depth. Curator: Indeed, but observe how the artist uses light and shadow to define the figure against the backdrop. The composition draws the eye to the twirler and the baton. But this looks like a stage! Editor: And how fascinating that a humble medium like gelatin silver immortalizes such a commonplace activity. It elevates the everyday labor and skill of performance. Curator: The flatness enhances the sense of staged performance. We can see this as an inquiry into the staged spaces of gendered performance. Editor: Precisely! The production, the printing of the image itself, participates in this culture of display and aspiration. The production seems very considered. Curator: This image, though small, opens up considerations of visual balance, tone and cultural roles. Editor: Quite right. It reminds me that art can be found even in the most unexpected corners of social life and humble materials.