Studio 54, New York City Possibly 1977 - 1983

Curator: This is Larry Fink's "Studio 54, New York City," a gelatin silver print capturing a moment within the legendary nightclub. Editor: It's instantly glamorous, but there's an underlying tension in the stark contrast and the subjects' expressions. What strikes you? Curator: The image's materiality speaks of the era; the choice of gelatin silver highlights the grittiness beneath the glitter, reflecting the economic realities supporting such a space. Editor: Yet, beyond that, I see echoes of classical portraiture. The woman in the foreground, her gaze, the pose...it evokes images of queens and goddesses. It's a celebration of a new kind of royalty. Curator: Perhaps. But I'm also drawn to the labor involved in creating this illusion, the industrial processes behind the clothing, the photographic paper itself, the socioeconomic structures that allowed Studio 54 to exist. Editor: It’s a fascinating interplay, this merging of high and low culture symbolized by the dress, a garment that can indicate both aspiration and conformity. I'll be pondering the implications of that duality. Curator: And I'll be researching the supply chains that brought the means of representation to Fink's camera and darkroom.