Untitled (toaster) c. 1950

Robert Burian made this gelatin silver print of a toaster, with dimensions of 12.7 x 17.78 cm, sometime in the twentieth century. The cultural meaning of this image is interesting, since it gives us a mundane, everyday object in the format usually reserved for art. By focusing on this object, Burian calls into question our assumptions about what is worthy of being art. We can see how the image creates meaning through its visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. The 'Universal' toaster points to a time of mass consumerism and contrasts with handmade design. It comments on the social structures of its time and critiques the institutions of art. To fully understand this artwork, it helps to look at the history of industrial design, consumer culture, and museum collecting practices during the last century. This emphasizes the role of historical research in the interpretation of art.