Untitled (men working in front of large tank) c. 1948

Curator: This is an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts men working in front of a very large tank. Editor: The inversion of the image throws me off initially, but the composition, with its strong diagonals and the sheer scale of the tank, creates a powerful sense of industrial might. Curator: Indeed, the photograph, though small, speaks to the labor involved in such industrial processes. Consider the material context: What kind of labor relations are present? What impact does heavy industry have on the environment in the port? Editor: But look at the tonal range, the stark contrast between the workers and the colossal structure they attend. The photograph becomes an abstract study of form and light, almost oppressive in its scale. Curator: It's a compelling visual record. The reversed image and visible Kodak markings on the film edges also reveal the process and materiality of photography itself. Editor: Quite right. By isolating these workers and their task, Gould invites us to consider the relationship between the human and the monumental, rendered with such dramatic visual flair.