Untitled (children's clothing store interior) 1944

Curator: This photograph by John Deusing presents an interior view of a children's clothing store. Editor: There's a starkness to it, almost clinical, despite the patterned wallpaper. The inverted tones create a ghostly effect. Curator: Precisely, the reversal amplifies the visibility of class and labor implicit in the garments themselves and within the commercial space. Consider the labor and raw materials woven into each item. Editor: The lighting is crucial, isn't it? Those pendant lamps draw attention to the displays, highlighting the sheer volume of merchandise available for consumption. What does it say about the labor and accessibility in the area? Curator: It speaks to the complex matrix of gendered expectations and socioeconomic status projected onto children through clothing. Deusing invites us to consider the hidden narratives woven into each piece. Editor: I appreciate how it makes me question my own assumptions about consumption and production of everyday items.