Before Class, Some of the Many Folks in John Szarkowski's History of Photography 1997

Editor: So, this is Elsa Dorfman's "Before Class, Some of the Many Folks in John Szarkowski's History of Photography." I'm struck by how casual it feels, yet it's also a very deliberate portrait. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a fascinating capture of a moment, ripe with institutional critique. Consider Szarkowski's influence on photography's canon. Dorfman subtly decenters him, placing him among his students. How does this democratizing gesture challenge the power structures within art education, do you think? Editor: That's a great point! It feels like Dorfman is saying, "Everyone here contributes to the history of photography." Curator: Precisely! And by documenting this moment, she herself becomes part of that history, challenging the patriarchal narratives of art. Something to consider. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. Thanks!