Untitled (children playing with toys by Christmas tree) c. 1950

Curator: Here we have an untitled photograph by Lucian and Mary Brown, showing children playing with toys by a Christmas tree. Its dimensions are modest, roughly 4 by 5 inches. Editor: It feels very dreamlike, almost a ghostly memory with the reversal of tone and the children's bright outlines. Curator: The image makes me consider the materiality of film, especially how these photographic negatives document intimate scenes of domestic life. The toys are, of course, objects of consumption, mirroring the post-war fascination with family and the home. Editor: And what about the family values implied? The photographic labor put in by the parents to depict this scene for posterity and self-presentation? It reflects both individual narratives and broad societal trends. Curator: I am struck by how such ordinary materials – cellulose and silver – can be transformed into these powerful representations of domesticity and consumer culture. Editor: Indeed, seeing this as a social artifact prompts a deeper appreciation for the narrative held within.