Untitled (family riding in convertible) 1959

Editor: This striking silver gelatin print, "Untitled (family riding in convertible)" by Lucian and Mary Brown, has an eerie, ghostly quality. What can you tell me about the materiality and process behind this image? Curator: The negative print immediately draws attention to the labor involved in photography. The reversal of tones forces us to consider the chemical processes and the social context of image-making. What statement were the Brown's making about themselves, as African-Americans? Editor: So, you're saying the medium itself is part of the message? Curator: Precisely. Consider the labor of producing and consuming images, and how that relates to class and identity. Editor: It's fascinating to think about photography not just as capturing a moment, but as a product of specific materials and social conditions. Thanks for the insight! Curator: My pleasure; seeing art in that way really enriches our understanding of it.