Untitled (firemen attaching hose to hydrant) c. 1950

Curator: This gelatin silver print, just a few inches square, by Jack Gould captures firemen attaching a hose. The lack of a title and date invites speculation. Editor: It’s eerie. Like a dream, or a memory half-forgotten. The inverted tones give it this ghostly quality. Look at those figures caught in action! Curator: The image’s power lies in its depiction of everyday heroism, subtly revealing the racial and gendered dimensions of labor during a period of societal change. Editor: Heroism is about doing what's needed, and this image is a testament to the people who show up for us, in whatever way they can. Curator: Absolutely. It highlights the interconnectedness of community. This piece is so small, yet it contains so much. Editor: I agree. It’s a little window into a world of service.