Defectives, Epileptics: United States. Massachusetts. Palmer. State Hospital for Epileptics: Interior of greenhouse, 1907. 1907

Editor: Woodhead Studio's photograph, "Defectives, Epileptics: United States. Massachusetts. Palmer. State Hospital for Epileptics: Interior of greenhouse, 1907" is striking. The title alone evokes a strong emotional response. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: The greenhouse itself functions as a powerful symbol. Historically, greenhouses represented control over nature, and here, by extension, over human lives deemed 'defective.' Editor: So, the ordered rows of plants mirror the regimentation of the patients' lives? Curator: Precisely. Notice the subdued light, how it washes over the figures. Light, often associated with enlightenment, is here muted, controlled. What do you make of that? Editor: It suggests a deliberate obscuring, perhaps reflecting societal attitudes towards those with epilepsy at the time. This has been very informative. Curator: Indeed, it's a stark visual reminder of how societal biases and prejudices can be embedded within seemingly benign imagery.