Untitled (young man and woman dancing) 1965

This undated photograph by Robert Burian captures a young couple dancing, in what seems to be a formal setting. Made with gelatin silver print, this image is a study in contrasts. The stark black and white tones emphasize the textures and forms within the scene. The way the light catches on the satin of the woman's dress, or the crisp tailoring of the man's tuxedo, speaks to the material culture of the time, a moment of post-war optimism. The photograph is not just a record, but a constructed image. Consider the labor involved, from the manufacturing of the film to the darkroom processes of development and printing. The choice to present the image in black and white adds to the timeless, classic feel, elevating the everyday moment of a dance to something more symbolic. By focusing on the materiality and making of this photograph, we can appreciate how its techniques reflect and shape social rituals and aspirations.