Untitled (exterior of house) c. 1950

Robert Burian’s "Untitled (exterior of house)" is a black and white photograph that captures the simplicity of suburban architecture. The cultural backdrop against which this image gains resonance is the post-World War II era in America, a time marked by an unprecedented boom in suburban development. The photograph subtly interrogates themes of identity, class, and the American Dream. These new homes, often mass-produced, symbolized upward mobility and the promise of a better life. Yet, this dream was not equally accessible. Redlining and discriminatory housing policies often excluded people of color, reinforcing racial segregation and economic disparities. Burian's choice to photograph this house in black and white strips away any sense of warmth, emphasizing the stark reality of the social and economic divides that underlay the idyllic facade of suburban life. The image prompts us to reflect on the promises and exclusions that have shaped American society, and challenges us to consider whose dreams were deferred in the making of this landscape.