Untitled (collage of images of medical rehabilitation) c. 1950

This is Robert Burian's "Untitled (collage of images of medical rehabilitation)," a photographic collage. The composition is a collection of rectangular images arranged within a larger rectangular frame. The inverted monochromatic palette lends a dreamlike quality. The arrangement of images creates a complex interplay between various forms of healing. On the left, we see the rehabilitation of the body. While on the right, the backdrop of a gothic cathedral hints at the role of faith or perhaps institutional power in the process of recovery. The formal qualities of the collage underscore a theme of reconstruction. Burian's choice of juxtaposing images invites us to question fixed meanings associated with medical treatment. This challenges the viewer to think critically about the diverse factors involved in the recuperation of the self and the body. By resisting a singular narrative, Burian opens up a space for ongoing interpretation of the artwork's purpose.