Untitled (cars on busy city street; seen from above) c. 1950

Editor: Here we have an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, showing cars on a busy city street. It’s a small gelatin silver print. What strikes me is the sheer density of the vehicles, and the overall greyscale. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Let’s consider the photographic process itself. Gelatin silver prints mass-produced images. This image speaks to post-war consumption, focusing on cars, and the infrastructure needed to support them. Notice the placement of the commercial signs. Editor: So, it's about the materials, the production, and the signs of consumerism? Curator: Precisely. The photograph’s materiality – its reproducibility – reflects the very culture it depicts. Mass production enabling mass consumption. Something to consider.