Untitled ("Miss Cleveland") c. 1925

Editor: This silver gelatin print is an untitled image by Martin Schweig, often called "Miss Cleveland." The symmetry gives it a formal feel. What jumps out at you? Curator: The sash is the most potent symbol here. It represents aspiration, a striving for recognition and perhaps a longing for upward mobility. In many cultures, sashes denote status or achievement. Does the "Miss Cleveland" title evoke any particular feelings for you? Editor: It feels both celebratory and a little...empty, I guess? Like, what does it *mean*? Curator: Exactly! The image captures a specific cultural moment, the rise of beauty pageants, reflecting societal values about appearance and the performance of identity. We might ask what symbols we put on display today. Editor: I see what you mean about cultural symbols and how they change! Curator: Yes, images reveal much about who we are and what we aspire to become.