Untitled (bride and groom chatting with guests next to mermaid buffet platter) 1949

Editor: This is an intriguing photograph by Martin Schweig, “Untitled (bride and groom chatting with guests next to mermaid buffet platter)." What strikes me is the central mermaid platter – so elaborate! What can you tell me about it? Curator: The platter speaks volumes about consumption and display. The labor involved in creating such a spectacle, the availability of materials, and the social ritual it represents are quite telling. It reflects values and status within the context of a wedding. Editor: I see what you mean. It's not just decoration; it's a statement. Thank you for sharing these thoughts! Curator: Indeed, thinking about the photograph as a material object and its journey also opens new perspectives.