Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis 1973

Curator: This is "Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis," a photograph by William Carter. Editor: It's a monochrome tableau of trophies and young women, a kind of stark record. The trophies reflecting back at us remind me of an army of shiny little deities. Curator: The image speaks volumes about social rituals in Middle America. The state fair, the baton twirling competition… It's a very specific cultural performance. Editor: Absolutely, but I also see how the trophies, endlessly reproduced, serve as symbols of aspiration and achievement, reflecting larger cultural values. There's a poignancy to them. Curator: Yes, and the composition frames it so well, juxtaposing the girls with the awards... It begs the question, who really wins in these systems? Editor: Well, the image doesn't give an easy answer, which is why it continues to be thought-provoking. It captures a moment and then lets us ponder it forever.