Untitled (women sitting on car with signs at mock political convention) c. 1955

Editor: This photograph, "Untitled (women sitting on car with signs at mock political convention)," by Jack Gould, shows women holding signs on a car. It's a small, square print, so it's hard to make out details, but it seems to capture a very specific moment. What do you make of this seemingly staged event? Curator: This image intrigues me precisely because of its potential staging. The signs reading "Carthage," "Tennessee Tech," "Lindenwood," and "Missouri U," held by women on a car, suggest a performative engagement with political conventions. How do you read the presence and representation of women here, especially in light of the socio-political landscape of the time it was taken? Editor: I'm unsure, but they look confident, holding their signs high. Maybe the signs offer a clue to their identities? Curator: Perhaps. It may be referencing the historic exclusion of women from political spaces and decision-making processes. This image opens up a dialogue about the intersection of gender, politics, and performance. Editor: It definitely makes me see it in a new light. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Curator: My pleasure. It's in these kinds of images we can often find hidden stories and ask critical questions.