Untitled (group of people in costumes at Beaux Arts Ball) c. 1950

Curator: Jack Gould's small photograph, "Untitled (group of people in costumes at Beaux Arts Ball)," captures a moment frozen in time. The size of the print is just 6 x 6 centimeters. Editor: My first impression is one of discomfort; the costumes evoke a sense of appropriation, highlighting the complex layers of cultural representation. Curator: Indeed. The Beaux Arts Ball was known for its elaborate costumes, often drawing from diverse cultural references, but without the nuanced understanding necessary to avoid harmful stereotypes. Editor: The symbolic language on that painted backdrop—it feels like a flattened totem pole—is particularly jarring in its context. What meanings were being invoked, and perhaps more importantly, erased? Curator: Exactly. The image invites us to consider the politics of representation and the power dynamics inherent in costuming practices, prompting critical reflection on the gaze and its implications. Editor: These artifacts of social gatherings can be so revealing. The image serves as a stark reminder of past insensitivities and hopefully, a lens for more thoughtful engagement moving forward. Curator: I agree. It's a reminder that even seemingly innocuous images can reveal deep-seated cultural biases that demand continued examination.