Couple, Disco 1978

Editor: This is Elaine Mayes’s photograph, "Couple, Disco." I love the blur of motion; it really conveys the energy of the scene. What compositional elements stand out to you? Curator: The contrasting light and shadow and use of monochromatic tones immediately strike the eye. Note how the formal arrangement is dominated by diagonals. These are reinforced by the figure's extended leg and the directional lines of the floor. Editor: So, the photographer's play with light and angles contributes to that sense of constant movement? Curator: Precisely. The blurred figures, achieved through long exposure, deny us clear representation, instead highlighting pure form and spatial relationships. Editor: Interesting. I hadn't thought about the denial of clear representation. Curator: Considering the technical choices as expressive elements allows for a deeper understanding.