Untitled (boy and girl walking down aisle) 1959

Curator: This is an intriguing image by John Deusing, simply titled, "Untitled (boy and girl walking down aisle)." It's a 5x4 inch gelatin silver print housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It evokes a sense of solemnity, almost a gothic sensibility with its stark contrasts and rigid figures. They seem dwarfed by the architecture. Curator: These children are dressed formally, likely for a wedding. The boy is in a suit, the girl in a frilly dress and hat. The aisle suggests a performative space, mirroring societal expectations. Editor: Exactly. Look at the girl's elaborate dress; it's almost a costume. The image speaks to the constructed nature of childhood innocence within these institutions. Curator: Yes, and Deusing's choice of capturing what seems like a private moment within a public ritual raises questions about display and access within social structures. Editor: It reminds us that even seemingly innocent moments are saturated with power dynamics and performative identities. A useful reflection.