Untitled (sign for I.C.O golf tournament) c. 1950

This photograph of a sign for the I.C.O. golf tournament was taken by Robert Burian. The grayscale palette is interesting, stripping away color and focusing on the stark contrast between light and shadow. You start to think about how the photographer might have considered the composition, playing with the shapes and forms in front of him. Look at the way the text is rendered, each letter carefully placed, like an abstract painting. You can almost feel the hand of the sign painter, meticulously applying each stroke. The texture of the sign itself, probably wood or metal, adds another layer to the image. The words 'Welcome' and 'Insurance City Open' seem to leap out, like the title of a work by Ed Ruscha. This photograph reminds me of Bernd and Hilla Becher's typologies of industrial structures. Like the Becher’s, Burian embraces repetition and seriality as he reflects on the visual language of American commerce. It’s a reminder that art is everywhere, even in the most unexpected places.