Untitled (two men with turkeys in field, broad view) c. 1950

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by Harry Annas, showing two men with turkeys in a field. The stark contrast makes it feel documentary, raw, and a bit unsettling. What can you tell me about its materiality and process? Curator: The gelatin silver print’s materiality is key. It’s a mass-reproducible medium, yet this negative offers a unique index of a specific moment and place. Consider the labor involved in raising these turkeys, and how the photograph itself participates in the consumption cycle. Editor: So, the photograph isn't just a record, but part of a larger system? Curator: Precisely. It is crucial to examine the social and economic context surrounding this image, not just its aesthetic qualities. Editor: That gives me a completely different perspective. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, it moves us beyond a simple viewing experience.