Untitled (woman and man playing pool) c. 1950

Curator: This photograph, currently titled "Untitled (woman and man playing pool)," comes to us from Jack Gould. The gelatin silver print measures just over two inches square. Editor: The size is surprising, like a snapshot of a casual moment. The color film has a certain materiality to it, with the film borders still visible. Curator: The informality absolutely points to a particular social context: the leisure activities of mid-century America. Editor: Notice how the felt of the pool table dominates the composition, its worn texture a testament to countless games and shared experiences. Curator: It’s compelling to think about how the game of pool, often associated with working-class culture, allowed for encounters across social divides. Editor: Exactly, and the cool tones of the artificial lighting enhance the feeling of a liminal space, a break from the everyday. I wonder about the industrial production of the pool balls themselves. Curator: The image encapsulates a unique moment, and it invites us to reflect on the social rituals and spaces that shape our lives. Editor: Agreed. Thinking about the image now, it's a poignant reminder of the tangible joys and shared spaces of the past.