Untitled (electric griddle and bowl) c. 1950

Robert Burian made this untitled photograph of an electric griddle and bowl with black and white film. With its stark contrasts, and inverted tones, the image feels slightly unsettling. The electric griddle and bowl become symbols of mid-century domesticity, a world largely managed by women. This photo creates a tension between the promise of modern convenience and the often-unacknowledged labor behind it. It invites us to consider the gendered expectations and roles within the domestic sphere. What does it mean to find such an ordinary, and perhaps traditionally feminine, scene represented in an abstract and slightly eerie way? This photograph, in its unconventional presentation, prompts questions about the value and visibility of domestic work, subtly challenging traditional representations of gender and labor. It offers a unique perspective on the emotional landscape of the everyday.