Untitled (men sitting around television/radio) c. 1960

Curator: This gelatin silver print by John Howell presents an intimate gathering. The piece is aptly, though plainly, titled "Untitled (men sitting around television/radio)." Editor: It feels staged, almost like a tableau vivant, doesn't it? A very mid-century mood, all suits and quiet contemplation around the glow of… technology. Curator: The composition guides the eye through a series of carefully arranged figures, their postures echoing and contrasting each other, creating a visual rhythm. Notice the use of the peacock chair as a framing device. Editor: The negative space is compelling, too. It's not just about the men, but the silence, the unseen narrative unfolding around them. I wonder what they're listening to, or watching. It feels important. Curator: Indeed. The materiality of the silver print itself lends the scene a timeless quality, despite the clear period details. A study in masculine performance, perhaps? Editor: Maybe. Or maybe just a moment caught in time, a glimpse into a world that feels both familiar and distant. Either way, it’s a great study of light and shadow.