Untitled (elderly women wearing hats) 1948

Editor: This gelatin silver print by Jack Gould pictures a group of elderly women in hats, and I find it sort of humorous. What strikes you most about this work? Curator: The image, though undated, speaks volumes about social performance. These women, likely from a specific social strata, are consciously presenting themselves. How does the act of photographing – and then displaying – shape their roles? Editor: So, the photograph itself becomes part of the social ritual? Curator: Precisely. Think about the role of photography in shaping identity and reinforcing social structures. Editor: I hadn't considered it that way, it's more than just a snapshot then. Curator: It's a carefully constructed moment, reflecting broader cultural expectations and aspirations.