Untitled (businessman at desk) 1953

Editor: So, this is an untitled photograph by Harris & Ewing, showing a businessman at his desk. It's hard to ignore the sheer volume of paperwork and office equipment. What stands out to you? Curator: I’m struck by the photo's depiction of labor. Look at the material conditions: the desk, the papers, the machinery. These weren't just neutral tools; they shaped the worker's experience, defining their productivity within a specific social context. The photograph seems to document the physical reality of mid-century office life, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, it does. Thanks for pointing that out! I hadn't considered the office itself as a symbol. Curator: Understanding the material reality provides a good context.