Untitled (drumset) c. 1950

Editor: So, this is John Deusing’s "Untitled (drumset)" from the Harvard Art Museums, and it's a black and white photograph. It feels like a stage set, almost theatrical. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: I'm fascinated by how Deusing uses a seemingly mundane subject like a drumset to explore notions of performance and identity. The backdrop and the drumset with its playful decorations suggest a space of constructed reality, perhaps commenting on the performative aspects of masculinity in music. Editor: Masculinity? Curator: Consider the historical association of drumming with power and aggression. Deusing subverts this by presenting the drumset within this artificial, almost fragile context. How might we interpret this tension between the instrument's potential and the staged setting? Editor: That adds a whole new layer! I was just seeing a picture of a drumset, but now it feels like it's asking questions about how we see gender. Curator: Precisely! It shows us the potential for even the simplest image to spark crucial conversations.