Untitled (fraternity dance, people drinking and blowing party streamers) c. 1950

Editor: This is a photograph by Jack Gould, called "Untitled (fraternity dance, people drinking and blowing party streamers)." It’s small, just a few inches square, and looks like a wild party! What do you see in this piece? Curator: The photograph, particularly given its setting within a fraternity, captures a specific performance of privileged masculinity. Consider the context of when this photo was taken, and what societal norms these students were likely adhering to. Editor: So, you're saying it's not just a party, but a reflection of power structures? Curator: Precisely. The photograph, in its seeming candidness, is a document of a specific culture and the normalized behaviors within it. What is captured, and what is not, are critical questions to ask. Editor: I never thought about it that way. I was just seeing a snapshot of a party. Curator: Looking through that lens can transform how we understand even seemingly simple images. Editor: It definitely gives me a lot to consider. Thanks for this view.