Untitled (New York City) 1935

Curator: This is "Untitled (New York City)," attributed to Ben Shahn. It's a rather small photographic slide, measuring only about 2.4 by 3.6 centimeters. Editor: It's ghostly. The figures are almost translucent against the harsh, urban background, like ghosts caught in the machinery of the city. Curator: Considering Shahn's background as a social realist, I wonder about the original photographic process. The negative image is quite intriguing. Did he intentionally manipulate the exposure, or is this a printing artifact? Editor: For me, it's about the alienation. The stark contrast emphasizes the individuals' isolation within this bustling metropolis, a commentary perhaps on the immigrant experience or the forgotten faces of urban life. Curator: The materiality really reinforces your point. The small scale and the negative exposure, combined with the street photography aesthetic, evoke a sense of detachment and perhaps even a critique of rapid urbanization. Editor: Yes, it’s a potent reminder of the human cost of progress. Curator: Indeed, there's more to this tiny picture than meets the eye. Editor: Absolutely. It has sparked a lot of thought about the social conditions that birthed it.