Untitled (irrigation canal coming out of dam with desert in background) c. 1950

Curator: This evocative image, currently entitled "Untitled (irrigation canal coming out of dam with desert in background)", is by Jack Gould and resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Wow, it's moody. The stark contrast creates this almost gothic feel, like a still from a silent film about a hidden, secretive place. Curator: The drama in the image could speak to the historical importance of irrigation in the American West, controlling water became a matter of political and economic power. Editor: Absolutely. The dam, these severe, geometric shapes, dominate the landscape. It feels like nature is being forcefully controlled here. Curator: It’s a fascinating snapshot of a moment in time, one that highlights the intersection of nature, technology, and human ambition. Editor: It does. It's a stark reminder of our attempts to manage the natural world, and the strange beauty that can sometimes emerge from that tension.