Untitled (young men getting dressed for ball) c. 1966

This photographic negative by Robert Burian captures young men preparing for a ball. The image, though small, presents a fascinating glimpse into the social rituals of dressing up, and the materials involved. The photograph itself is an artifact, made using processes reliant on specific materials: film, chemical developers, and printing techniques. The negative captures the moment of transformation, perhaps the choice of attire is itself a performance of social status, where decisions about textiles, cut, and style reflect the wearer's identity. The lighting fixtures overhead also draw our attention to the space these figures inhabit. It prompts us to consider not just the surface of the image, but also the social context in which it was created, and how those in the photograph perceived their own world. Ultimately, this photograph encourages us to consider the tangible materials of image-making and costuming, and the intangible social dynamics that shape them.