Untitled (young girls trying on hats in front of large store mirror) c. 1950

Editor: This is an intriguing, small, untitled photograph by Jack Gould, showing young girls trying on hats. It feels very personal and intimate. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a powerful commentary on the construction of identity in young women, particularly through consumer culture. The mirror becomes a site of self-assessment, reflecting societal expectations and the performance of femininity. How does the act of “trying on” extend beyond the hats themselves? Editor: I guess they are trying on different versions of themselves, reflecting the ideals and expectations placed on them? Curator: Precisely. And what role does the store, as a public space, play in shaping these identities? It highlights the intersection of personal desires and social norms. Editor: It really makes you think about how even simple moments are filled with larger cultural meanings. Curator: Indeed. Art allows us to deconstruct these layers and understand the systems at play.