Untitled (Lena Horne singing, wearing evening gown) c. 1950

Editor: Here we have Jack Gould's "Untitled (Lena Horne singing, wearing evening gown)," a small, square gelatin silver print. The stark contrast makes me wonder about the labor involved in producing such an image. What are your thoughts? Curator: I see a portrait, yes, but consider the materials: the silver, the gelatin. These weren't simply lying around. What socio-economic structures enabled Gould to acquire and manipulate them into this representation of Horne? Editor: So, you're focusing on the means of production rather than just the subject? Curator: Precisely. The image isn't just about Lena Horne, but about the technology, resources, and even the exploitation that facilitated its creation and distribution within a specific consumer culture. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Considering the bigger picture always enriches our understanding.