Untitled (scientific chart on wall at research facility) c. 1950

Curator: This work by Jack Gould, simply titled "Untitled (scientific chart on wall at research facility)," presents us with a fascinating grid. It looks almost like a strange color-coded periodic table. Editor: Yes, the material reality of this piece strikes me first—it feels very utilitarian. The chart itself, the way it's made, the suggestion of its institutional context—all point to a very specific kind of labor. Curator: And that labor, I think, is deeply entwined with systems of knowledge production. Consider the implications of classifying and organizing in this way. Who gets to define these categories? What power dynamics are at play within this research facility? Editor: Absolutely. I'm curious about the chart's creation—the paint, the stencil, the labor involved. It speaks to the material conditions of scientific work, often obscured by the veneer of pure intellectual pursuit. Curator: Precisely. It reveals how even seemingly objective fields are shaped by subjective choices and social hierarchies. Editor: It makes you think about how science is also a material process, just like art. Curator: A vital point! This piece challenges us to consider the unseen hands that shape our understanding of the world. Editor: It makes me want to research the place where this chart hung!