Untitled (men on military telephones) c. 1950

Curator: This unassuming little photograph, simply titled "Untitled (men on military telephones)," is by Jack Gould and is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. It's a mere 6x6 centimeters. Editor: That size is perfect, almost like a hidden peepshow. All that dim, institutional lighting and those massive, vintage phones give a feeling of weighty secrets. Curator: The image evokes the Cold War era, reflecting anxieties about communication systems and military bureaucracy. It asks us to consider the individuals behind these systems and their role in larger geopolitical events. Editor: You know, there’s something poetic about the human voice traveling through all those wires, all that machinery. It’s like a tangible link to some larger, unseen network. Like fate, almost. Curator: Indeed, and the photograph itself participates in this network, reminding us of the constant circulation of images and information, and how these contribute to our understanding of history. Editor: Exactly! Makes you wonder what those men were talking about. Life or death? Love or duty? We'll never know.