Untitled (two men checking in at airline counter) c. 1950

Editor: This intriguing silver gelatin print, "Untitled (two men checking in at airline counter)" by Jack Gould, captures a seemingly mundane scene. I’m struck by the presence of the Triner scale. What does it tell us about the social context of air travel at the time? Curator: The photograph offers a glimpse into the material culture of early air travel. The scale, alongside the counter, suggests a tangible process of weighing luggage. It speaks to the labor involved in making air travel accessible and the commodities associated with it. Editor: So, it's not just about getting from point A to point B, but about all the stuff that goes with it? Curator: Precisely. It makes us consider the social and economic infrastructure needed for air travel. We must ask: Who is doing the work, and how does this contribute to our understanding of the era? Editor: That’s a fascinating perspective – considering the labor and materiality that often go unnoticed. Curator: Indeed. Examining these elements brings us closer to understanding the artwork's cultural and economic significance.