"Harvard Men" c. 1969

Editor: So this photograph is called "Harvard Men" by Steven Liebman. It seems to depict three young boys, and two of them are smoking. There's a kind of defiant energy to it. What do you make of the title in relation to the image? Curator: The title is certainly provocative. The photograph and its title point to questions about access, privilege, and the construction of masculinity within the historical context of institutions like Harvard. Are these boys future Harvard men? Or are they excluded from that world? Editor: That's interesting, it feels like a commentary on social mobility. Curator: Precisely. Liebman's work encourages us to consider how images can reinforce or subvert societal expectations and the power dynamics embedded within institutions. It makes you question the role that photography plays in shaping perceptions and perpetuating social narratives, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely, I see that now. It's not just a portrait, it's a statement. Curator: Indeed, and considering the social climate when this piece was created adds another layer to its impact.