Untitled (man combing hair of female model) c. 1960

Editor: This photograph by Jack Gould, titled "Untitled (man combing hair of female model)," captures a seemingly mundane moment. It’s quite staged, though, which gives it a surreal quality. What’s your take on this? Curator: It’s interesting to consider how this image, seemingly capturing a private moment, is actually part of a larger system of image production. The model's expression, the stylist's focused gesture – these are carefully constructed for a public audience, reinforcing the idea of idealized beauty. Think about how this scene is framed: what does the backdrop evoke for you? Editor: It reminds me of a theatre set, almost artificial. It is interesting to think about how such staged images shape our cultural ideas about beauty. Thanks! Curator: Exactly. And that artificiality invites us to question the authenticity and constructed nature of the images we consume daily. Food for thought!