Untitled (woman or child playing pool) c. 1950

Curator: Jack Gould's small, square photograph, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, presents a figure playing pool. It's called, simply, "Untitled (woman or child playing pool)." Editor: The composition immediately strikes me; there is something wonderfully awkward and precarious about her stance on the table. Curator: The unusual angle and the cropping contribute to that feeling, yes. Gould uses the geometry of the pool table to create strong diagonals, almost fragmenting the space. Editor: It makes me think about women's access to leisure spaces, especially in the mid-20th century. Pool halls weren't always welcoming places. Curator: Precisely. The photographic process itself—look at the Kodax film border—becomes part of the form, layering levels of visual information to the image. Editor: Indeed. It prompts us to consider the photographer's choices, and perhaps the social dynamics at play during that game. Curator: Ultimately, it’s a compelling study of form and perspective. Editor: And a reminder of the untold stories residing within such everyday scenes.