Untitled (class attending lecture on traffic safety) c. 1950

Editor: This photograph by Harry Annas captures a lecture on traffic safety; the date is unknown. It feels so staged and surreal. What symbols strike you in this image? Curator: The signs themselves are icons of a shared visual language, and together, they’re almost ritualistic. “Courtesy” and “Attitude,” are presented almost as moral imperatives, suggesting societal expectations. Does it evoke a specific era for you? Editor: The clothing and the signs feel mid-century, maybe? It's fascinating how these symbols change, yet their underlying message of safety remains constant. Curator: Precisely. It reflects how visual cues become embedded in our collective memory. These signs, even now, trigger immediate associations and responses, don’t they? Editor: It’s true. I never thought about how much cultural weight road signs could carry.