Grumman Aerospace, Bethpage 1978

Editor: Here we have Per Brandin's photograph, "Grumman Aerospace, Bethpage." It's a black and white image, focused on two men against a backdrop of imposing machinery. I'm struck by how the scale of the factory dwarfs them. What stands out to you? Curator: The photograph captures the visual language of American industrial power. Consider the socio-political context: what does this image say about labor, technology, and perhaps, the military-industrial complex? It's a portrait, but also a statement on the role of industry. Editor: So, it's not just about the men, but about what they represent within that system? Curator: Precisely. Brandin isn’t merely documenting; he's framing a narrative about the individual within the machinery of progress. Think about how images like this were used and understood at the time. Editor: That gives me a whole new perspective, seeing it as more than just a photograph. Curator: Indeed. And how institutions like Harvard Art Museums choose to display and contextualize it further shapes its meaning for us today.