"Flash Light" c. 1903

This small photograph of two figures in costume is overlaid with the title "Flash Light", and handwritten notes in ink. The figures, possibly siblings, are dressed up in makeshift costumes and are captured in a moment of playful interaction. There's a real tension in the process of making and the vulnerability of performance. It makes me wonder, what stories lie beneath the surface? What kind of performance has the artist and their sibling been engaged in? I’m reminded of artists like Eleanor Antin who also create staged narratives to explore questions of identity and representation. I can imagine the excitement and slight embarrassment of getting dressed up, embodying a character, and performing for the camera. It reminds me that as artists we're all in conversation with one another, riffing on ideas, and pushing boundaries. This image serves as a reminder of the joy and freedom that can come from embracing the unknown and allowing our creativity to guide us.