Untitled (man and woman at party) 1964

This small photograph, of a man and woman at a party, was made by Robert Burian, but we don't know exactly when. It's a black and white image that really messes with your perceptions, like those optical illusions that play tricks on your brain. The photograph is full of inverted colours, which gives it a slightly eerie feel. It’s as if we’re looking at a ghostly version of a celebration, a moment captured and then flipped inside out. Take a look at the woman’s dress. The stark contrast between the darks and lights creates a bold graphic quality which has the kind of material feel you might find in the work of someone like Jessi Reaves. The photograph's ambiguity isn't a flaw, but an invitation. It reminds me of John Baldessari, in the way that he invited you to question what you see, and how you see it. It’s a great reminder that art isn't about answers, it's about opening up possibilities.