Untitled (people sitting in car with signs at mock political convention) c. 1955

Editor: Here we have an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, showing a mock political convention. The image size is quite small, less than six centimeters square. What grabs me are all the hand-lettered signs; what can you tell me about it? Curator: The photographic process itself, the darkroom labor, emphasizes the image's status as a constructed object, not just a captured moment. The signs, likely made from cheap materials, point to a do-it-yourself culture, perhaps reflecting a desire for political engagement outside established power structures. Does the Taft name, appear to refer to a specific political figure? What more can we say about the social context surrounding this image? Editor: So, the materials used and the act of creating the photograph itself, speak to a larger commentary on political processes and social engagement. I'm starting to see things differently! Curator: Exactly! By looking at the means of production, we begin to understand the message.