Untitled (three men in bow ties decorating car) 1958

Editor: This intriguing photograph by John Deusing shows three men in bow ties decorating a car. It’s a black and white image and feels very mid-century suburban. What stands out to you? Curator: Let’s consider the materiality of the image itself: the photographic paper, the specific film used, the development process. How might the production methods and the darkroom labor shape our understanding of this seemingly simple celebratory act? Editor: That’s interesting. I hadn’t thought about it that way. So, you're saying the "how" it's made is more important than "what" is represented? Curator: Not necessarily more "important," but equally significant. By focusing on the means of production, we can begin to unpack the relationship between art, labor, and the everyday. What does the car represent here as a commodity? Editor: I see your point. I guess looking at the materials and labor involved gives a whole new perspective. Thanks! Curator: Indeed! Examining the materials allows us to consider the broader social and economic contexts surrounding the image.