Olympus Corporation, Woodbury 1978

Editor: Here we have Per Brandin’s "Olympus Corporation, Woodbury," an intriguing photograph from the Harvard Art Museums. The composition is striking. What do you make of it? Curator: This photograph draws attention to the constructed nature of labor. Notice the stark contrast between the manufactured office space and the organic plant, highlighting the materials and process involved in shaping our environments and daily lives. How does that reading resonate with you? Editor: I see what you mean. The plant feels staged, a prop in this office tableau. It makes me think about the commodification of nature, too. Curator: Precisely. It invites us to consider the social and economic contexts shaping our perception of both nature and work, and the labor required to maintain both. Editor: I never thought about it like that! It’s fascinating how a simple photograph can unpack so much about our relationship with work and the environment.