Untitled (golfers waiting to play) c. 1950

Editor: This is an untitled photograph, showing golfers waiting to play. It's by Jack Gould and held at the Harvard Art Museums. The high contrast gives it a really stark feel. What do you see when you look at this image? Curator: I see a commentary on leisure and labor. Note the golfers’ clothing: what materials are these garments made from? Who produced them, and under what conditions? Golf as a leisure activity is inherently tied to land use, class, and consumption. Editor: So, it's less about the sport itself and more about the context of the sport? Curator: Precisely. Consider the social space of the golf course. Who has access, and who is excluded? Reflect on that. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about regarding the meaning behind something as simple as a photo of golfers.