Untitled (men on military telephones) c. 1950

Editor: This small photograph, "Untitled (men on military telephones)" by Jack Gould, presents two uniformed men at a switchboard. I'm struck by the stark contrast between the dark background and the pops of red on the telephones. What do you see in its composition that stands out to you? Curator: The image's strength lies in its formal arrangement. Note the geometrical interplay between the angular switchboard, the curved telephone receivers, and the rigid posture of the figures. The chromatic interplay, too, is vital. The limited palette—dominated by blues and punctuated by the red of the phones—creates a visual tension. Editor: So the color choices and shapes are more important than the actual subject? Curator: Precisely. The photograph transcends its subject matter. It's through the formal elements that Gould constructs meaning. One might even consider the limited palette as signifying a sense of constriction, echoing the men's rigid bearing. Editor: That’s a new way for me to think about it. Curator: Indeed, considering the artist's use of color and form allows one to decode additional layers of meaning within the work.