Untitled (people drinking cocktails, man on telephone) c. 1950

Editor: This photograph, “Untitled (people drinking cocktails, man on telephone)” by Lucian and Mary Brown, presents a scene frozen in time. With everyone dressed in formal attire, what symbols do you see playing out here? Curator: Well, the cocktail itself is a powerful signifier, linking to ideas of leisure, social ritual, and even a certain level of sophistication. It speaks to a specific cultural moment, perhaps a yearning for normalcy. Editor: Normality? Curator: Yes, consider the man on the telephone, a symbol of connection but also of distance. The act of drinking and the act of communicating, both attempting to bridge gaps. How do they speak to our present moment? Editor: I never considered the telephone as a symbol of distance! It's interesting how these symbols evolve over time. Curator: Indeed, and how our interpretation of them changes too.