Untitled (woman with film reels in storage) 1951

Curator: This is Peter James Studio's "Untitled (woman with film reels in storage)," a gelatin silver print at the Harvard Art Museums. The dimensions are roughly 4 by 5 inches. What strikes you first about it? Editor: The repetition! Rows upon rows of film reels, and the woman mirrored in their arrangement. There's an almost oppressive feeling of archival labor. Curator: The image speaks to the meticulous work involved in filmmaking, the unseen labor of preservation and organization. The materiality of film is highlighted, moving beyond the final product we consume. Editor: Absolutely, and considering the time, it also brings to mind the gendered nature of this labor. Women were often responsible for these organizational tasks, the unsung heroes behind the scenes. Curator: Indeed, looking at the process illuminates a more complex story. Editor: It definitely makes you think about who gets to tell stories, and who supports them.