Untitled (IBM meeting) c. 1940

Curator: Harris & Ewing's "Untitled (IBM meeting)," from the collection at the Harvard Art Museums, presents an auditorium filled with attendees. My immediate impression is one of sterile formality. Editor: Yes, there’s a pervasive visual language of order and mid-century corporatism. The rows of identical figures, the "THINK" slogan, the monochrome—it speaks to an era of conformity. Curator: Notice how the uniformity extends to the clothing. This can be interpreted as symbolizing the homogenized identity encouraged within large corporations. Editor: The recurring chair motif also strikes me; each placed with careful consideration. It suggests a ritualistic, almost stage-managed event, laden with the symbolism of power and control. Curator: Considering the period, these meetings served to reinforce existing social hierarchies and gender roles, with power concentrated in the hands of a select few. Editor: It’s fascinating how a single photographic image can evoke such a complex web of cultural and ideological implications, isn’t it? Curator: Indeed, it compels us to reflect on the evolution and impact of corporate culture.