Untitled (performers wearing women's clothes) 1946

This photograph, of performers in women’s clothing, was made by Robert Burian; its date is unknown. There’s something about the process of reversal in a negative that makes you think about appearances, and what’s really there. I’m struck by the textures, the fabrics of the dresses, the beads, the gloves, and the hats. Even in this monochrome state, the image speaks to the physicality and the presence of the performers, which makes me think about drag. It seems to be about dressing up and performance, but also about the textures, the weight, and the feel of clothes. Look at the image on the right-hand side, with the dark flowing dress, the light trim, and that fabulous hat. Like, what’s going on here? What does it all mean? Well, meaning isn’t something you can pin down in art. What you can see, though, is something about the joy of making, dressing up, and performing.