Untitled (group of men sitting in a meeting, one man standing up) 1945

Editor: Here we have an untitled photograph by Jack Gould depicting a group of men in a meeting, the dimensions are about 4 by 5 inches. It strikes me as a very formal scene, almost staged. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Let's consider the production of this image. The gelatin silver print process, the photographer's deliberate framing, and the setting all contribute to the artwork's meaning. How do these choices relate to the social context it represents? What kind of labor went into its creation? Editor: I didn't consider how the photographic process itself contributes to the statement. Curator: Exactly! By examining the labor and the intentional staging, we understand the power dynamics on display.