Untitled (students march down street) c. 1920

Curator: This gelatin silver print, roughly 4 by 5 inches, titled “Untitled (students march down street)” is by Hamblin Studio. The exact date is unknown. Editor: My first impression is the stark contrast gives it an almost ghostly feel, like we're seeing a memory resurface. Curator: The figures marching hold signs, perhaps echoing larger social movements, visually anchoring cultural memory to this procession. Editor: Absolutely. It also feels staged, almost performative, which complicates its reading as raw documentation. Where does conviction meet representation? Curator: The repetition of figures creates a sense of unity, but also anonymity—a powerful symbol of collective action. Editor: It makes me think about the role of photography in shaping, and sometimes manipulating, our understanding of collective movements. The inversion of the photograph makes it feel like this is still developing, still in progress. Curator: Precisely, this image, even in its reversed state, reminds us of the enduring power and complexity of visual symbols in shaping cultural narratives. Editor: And the ongoing need to critically examine the narratives they construct.