Untitled (men in suits standing in police line-up) 1962

Curator: This is an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It shows five men in suits, standing against what appears to be a police line-up backdrop. Editor: My first impression is the suffocating sense of conformity, but also vulnerability, from these five men. The red-tinted film casts an ominous hue, emphasizing their almost identical presentation. Curator: The power dynamic here is quite interesting. We see men, likely professionals, stripped of their individuality, reduced to mere subjects within the criminal justice system. Editor: Exactly. The suits, usually a symbol of authority and status, become a uniform of potential guilt. The repetition of the suits and the men creates an unsettling feeling of anonymity. Curator: Gould's work often explored the social implications of visual culture. This piece speaks volumes about the cultural anxieties and the societal pressures of the time. Editor: It's fascinating how the symbols of success can be twisted to signify suspicion and shame. The anonymity of the title adds another layer, making us question the identity and fate of each figure. Curator: Absolutely, and that's the point, isn’t it? Gould leaves us with more questions than answers about power, identity, and social control. Editor: It makes me think about how easily appearances can be manipulated to change perception.