Untitled (people filling van with gas) 1947

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, showing people at a gas station. It’s a simple, everyday scene, but the negative processing gives it an eerie quality. What can you tell me about this image? Curator: The inversion certainly emphasizes the materiality. Look at the textures: the slickness of the Mobil oil sign, the rough concrete of the pump, and the fabric of the clothing. The process brings all these materials to our attention. How does this relate to the context of everyday life at the time, to labor, and consumption? Editor: I hadn't considered that before. Thanks! Curator: It highlights the socio-economic factors influencing daily routines. Food for thought.