Untitled (pedestrians walking on busy city street) c. 1950

Editor: This is Jack Gould’s small, undated photograph, "Untitled (pedestrians walking on busy city street)." I’m struck by the density of the crowd and the crispness of the architectural details. How does this image speak to you? Curator: I see a study of urban production. The photograph’s physical size contrasts sharply with the scale of the scene, highlighting the labor involved in capturing such a bustling environment. The photographic process itself, the materials used, and the act of documenting this scene of commerce, those things are the real subject. Editor: So you’re saying the *making* of the photo is as important as the photo itself? Curator: Precisely. Consider the social context of a busy shopping district; what materials are being consumed? What labor is on display? Thinking about these questions is key to understanding Gould's work. Editor: I hadn't considered the economic aspects. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It's important to think about the underlying networks of labor.