Untitled (large party, mirrored wall, seen from above) 1952

Curator: This photograph, simply titled "Untitled (large party, mirrored wall, seen from above)," comes to us from Peter James Studio and is currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels almost ghostly, doesn't it? Like peering into a memory, or a half-forgotten dream. The mirrored wall adds this incredible sense of depth and unease. Curator: Indeed. The mirrored reflections serve to amplify the impression of the crowd, creating a sense of spectacle and, perhaps, the anonymity of the individual within a large social setting. Note the mid-century modernist design. Editor: Anonymity is the word! From this perspective, they're all just shapes, types. Are they having fun? Is it a chore? The photo doesn't tell us, and maybe that's the point. Curator: I think you're right to point that out, the staged events such as this are designed to create a sense of collective identity, and indeed, the people that are assembled in the photo likely had much in common. Editor: Even with those collective ties, it feels solitary. Art has a funny way of making us feel, doesn't it? Curator: It does. And hopefully invites contemplation on the ever-changing nature of societal roles and identities.