Untitled (man standing behind desk with gavel) c. 1950

Curator: This intriguing photo negative, currently titled "Untitled (man standing behind desk with gavel)" by Jack Gould at the Harvard Art Museums, presents a rather striking image. It's compact, only about 6x6 cm. What's your take? Editor: My first thought? A theatrical tableau of power! It's got a kind of eerie, almost ghostly quality, thanks to the negative space. The men in suits, the gavel... it's like a scene from a dream, or maybe a nightmare. Curator: The gavel indeed functions as a strong symbol of authority and order, historically, often linked to judicial proceedings and institutional governance. The negative only amplifies its symbolic weight. Editor: Absolutely! It makes me think about the hidden structures beneath officialdom. The reversed image gives it a subversive edge, like we're seeing the dark side of the room. Curator: The emblems on their lapels suggest membership in a specific organization, hinting at the exclusivity of the group. The photograph seems to emphasize the importance of hierarchy within this unknown society. Editor: For me, it’s the faces… those reversed expressions seem to be hiding something. The photograph leaves you wondering what’s really being decided behind that closed door. Curator: A potent image that lingers in the mind, inviting speculation on its unspoken narratives. Editor: Precisely. It's a ghost story of bureaucracy.