Untitled (Moore family group portrait, in costume) c. 1935

Curator: What a striking image! This is "Untitled (Moore family group portrait, in costume)" by C. Bennette Moore. Editor: It’s like a surreal dream. So many faces, all in costume, but the negative image gives it an eerie quality. Curator: The costumes are quite telling. There’s a distinct interest in theatricality, perhaps reflecting a societal fascination with performance and role-playing. And, of course, the photographic negative adds an additional layer. Editor: I see echoes of ancient festivals. The costumes, though varied, carry a primal energy. The pirate, the clown, the vaguely ethnic garb—archetypes that resurface across centuries. Curator: Precisely. Moore may be tapping into a collective memory here, consciously or not. These costumes aren't merely for entertainment; they're laden with symbolic meaning. What did these roles represent to the Moore family, and to their community? Editor: The inverted tones amplify the symbolic weight, almost like x-raying the subconscious of this group. I can't shake the feeling this image is more than just a simple portrait. Curator: It certainly invites us to look beyond the surface, and to question the very nature of identity and representation. Editor: Agreed. This image lingers, prompting us to reflect on the roles we play, and the symbols we embrace.