Untitled (band practicing in gymnasium) 1943

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by John Deusing, showing a band practicing, presumably in a gymnasium. The image is quite striking in its uniformity, the band members all identically dressed. What stands out to you about this image? Curator: I'm drawn to the materials at play here: the instruments, the gymnasium floor, the photographic paper itself. The labor involved in producing both the music and the image, and the social context of a band practicing in a public space. How does the materiality of the gymnasium setting influence your perception? Editor: I hadn't considered the gymnasium itself as a key element. It makes me think about the intersection of art and everyday life. Curator: Exactly! By examining the materials and the environment, we can start to unpack the social and cultural significance of this seemingly simple image. It transcends the boundaries of "high art." Editor: I see now, the photo's impact lies in its depiction of ordinary people engaged in the labor of creating something. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. The power of the image lies in its portrayal of material culture and social activity, not just in its aesthetic appeal.