Newly Elected President of the International Teamsters Union, [James Riddle] Hoffa (1913-?1975) 1957

Editor: This photograph by United Press captures James Hoffa's election as president of the International Teamsters Union. The newspaper headline announcing his "landslide" victory is striking. What do you see in this image? Curator: The newspaper itself is a fascinating symbol. It’s a carefully staged presentation of power. The word "landslide" evokes a natural force, an unstoppable momentum. The figure beside him, almost hidden, shields his eyes, perhaps a reflex against the blinding light of power. Editor: That's a thought-provoking interpretation of the imagery. Curator: This photograph shows how carefully crafted the image of power is, and how potent the symbols we create around leaders can be. Consider the cultural narratives we still tell about Hoffa. Editor: I’ve never thought about news being a symbolic act, rather than just a reporting of facts. Curator: Indeed. Every image is constructed, a deliberate selection of symbols, shaping our collective memory.