Sabatine Wedding, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania 1984

Editor: This is Larry Fink's "Sabatine Wedding, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania," from 1984. It's a black and white photograph, and the composition feels incredibly raw and intimate, almost voyeuristic. What social commentary do you think Fink was aiming for with this piece? Curator: Fink is known for his social documentary photography, often focusing on class and social dynamics. Here, he disrupts the idealized image of a wedding, revealing the often-awkward realities and social tensions within such gatherings. Look at the contrasting body language—the formal wear of the standing man juxtaposed with the casual attire and postures of those at the table. Editor: So it’s less about the wedding itself, and more about what weddings reveal about society? Curator: Precisely. Weddings, especially in photographic form, often present a curated narrative. Fink, however, seems interested in the unscripted moments, the behind-the-scenes interactions. What does the choice of black and white contribute, do you think? Editor: It feels stark and unromantic, perhaps highlighting the less glamorous aspects of the event? Maybe it forces us to look beyond the surface. Curator: Exactly! He strips away the color, and in turn exposes more. The artificiality of the event is shown: lighting and dress juxtapose against more natural behaviors, creating a critique on representation, and even power, within these social structures. I always ask myself, what statement are those commissioning, viewing, and even exhibiting works of this kind, making? Editor: I see it now! The photo isn't just capturing a wedding, it’s holding a mirror up to the values and performances within a community. Thank you! Curator: A good piece of art makes us ask questions, doesn't it? Hopefully, that's what we have done for our listeners today.