Untitled (men working on machinery digging into street) 1947

Curator: This gelatin silver print by Jack Gould shows men working on machinery. It’s titled "Untitled (men working on machinery digging into street)" and is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It’s so textural, even in reproduction! The negative space seems to amplify the gritty nature of the work being done. Curator: I see the theme of labor echoed in the composition. The machinery takes center stage, almost deifying the industrial process. Are these men contributing to something bigger than themselves? Editor: Absolutely. The arrangement around the machinery emphasizes its importance, overshadowing the individual laborers almost completely. It really asks us to consider where labor and industry meet, and what it costs. Curator: It certainly prompts reflection on the cultural narrative surrounding progress and construction. Thanks for this perspective. Editor: And thank you, It's interesting to consider industry and our cultural values connected to it.