Untitled (Cairo) 1977

Curator: Here we have Bill Dane’s "Untitled (Cairo)", a black and white photograph held at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you first about this image? Editor: The layers of signage and urban decay create a feeling of chaotic information, don't they? The metallic structures intersect with the buildings in the background. You can almost feel the grit of the city on your skin. Curator: Absolutely. Dane's work often focuses on overlooked details. The photograph makes you consider the role of advertising in shaping public spaces, especially in rapidly changing urban environments like Cairo. Editor: I’m interested in the material aspects—the rust on those metal frames, the texture of the posters, the construction itself. It speaks volumes about labor and consumption. Curator: True, and that contrast of permanence and ephemerality is compelling. It makes us reflect on the narratives we build within cities, and how those shape our lives. Editor: Yes, an interesting intersection of the made environment and the human experience.