Untitled (drivers drag-racing in tiny cars, woman sitting in car) 1960

Curator: This is an untitled work by Jack Gould, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts what seems to be drivers drag-racing in tiny cars, with a woman sitting in one of them. Editor: The image has a great sense of immediacy. You can almost smell the gasoline and hear the engines revving. The materiality of these vehicles is fascinating. Curator: Absolutely. The photograph provides a glimpse into a specific subculture, highlighting leisure activities and social interactions within that context. It's interesting to see the gender dynamics, too. Editor: Exactly. Looking closely at the construction of those go-karts, you see the ingenuity and labor involved. It’s not just about racing, but the act of building and customizing, transforming everyday materials. Curator: How do you think this image fits within Gould’s overall work? Editor: For me, it underscores how even seemingly mundane materials and practices can become sites of creative expression and community. Curator: I agree; seeing how social pastimes take shape is indeed compelling. Editor: It's a fantastic capture of culture and movement.