Untitled (two brides smiling at one another) 1952

Editor: Here we have Martin Schweig's "Untitled (two brides smiling at one another)." It's a black and white photograph, and it feels a bit eerie, like a ghostly double exposure. What strikes you about it? Curator: This image speaks volumes about the social construction of marriage and the economics of portraiture. Consider the material conditions: film, chemicals, photographic technology, all tools within reach of certain classes. Who is able to afford these images? Editor: So you're saying the very act of creating this image is tied to social and economic factors? Curator: Precisely. And the repeated imagery suggests ideas of uniformity and potentially societal expectations placed on women. What do you think the brides symbolize? Editor: It's interesting to think about marriage in terms of production and consumption, and who gets to participate in those rituals. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. The image, in its material form, raises compelling questions.