Untitled (twelve photographs: street scenes of Cuban revolutionaries) after 1959

Curator: This is a fascinating contact sheet featuring twelve photographs by Lester Cole, titled “Untitled (twelve photographs: street scenes of Cuban revolutionaries).” Editor: Immediately, there's a raw, documentary feel. Like flipping through someone’s intensely personal scrapbook of a revolution. The grain, the stark black and white... it's all so immediate. Curator: Cole’s eye captures these everyday moments amidst the revolutionary fervor. It almost feels like he's humanizing history. Editor: Absolutely. Look at the way the crowds gather in image number five. It reminds me of images of mass gatherings throughout history, from religious processions to political rallies, all seeking a shared identity. There’s power in those numbers. Curator: What I find interesting is the mix of military might and civilian celebration. Editor: Exactly, the tanks contrasted with the jubilant expressions create a potent visual tension. It's a complicated moment. Curator: It leaves you wondering about the artist's perspective. Were they a participant, or an observer? Editor: These images really do make you contemplate what gets remembered and what gets forgotten in the grand narrative of history.