Untitled (buying war stamps and bonds) c. 1940s

Editor: This photograph, "Untitled (buying war stamps and bonds)" by John Deusing, shows a group of people gathered around a table. It has a very formal, almost staged feel. What kind of message do you think this image conveys? Curator: It's interesting to consider this image through the lens of performative patriotism. How does the act of buying war bonds become a public spectacle, reinforcing national identity and, perhaps, suppressing dissent? Editor: So it's not just about supporting the war, but also about showing you're supporting the war. Curator: Exactly. And who is included in this performance? Whose voices and experiences might be missing or marginalized in this idealized image of wartime unity? Editor: I never thought about it that way. I'll definitely be looking at images with a more critical eye from now on! Curator: Examining those absences is key to understanding power dynamics.