Untitled (young man and woman dancing) 1965

This small, undated photograph by Robert Burian, called “Young man and woman dancing”, plays with the light in a way that is quite special. It feels like the artist is using the camera to explore what can be seen, and how things can be seen. Look at the darkness of the woman’s dress against the brightness of the man's suit. The contrast is so strong that it almost feels like they are two halves of the same idea. In the original image, all values are inverted so that black becomes white, and white becomes black. The photograph's material quality enhances this dynamic. The surface is smooth and slick, and the absence of texture pushes us to focus on the tonal relationships at play. See how the couple's arms are wrapped around each other. It’s a simple gesture but it really captures their intimate moment. Robert Burian’s photograph makes me think of Walker Evans' work, especially his portraits. But where Evans is direct, Burian feels more dreamlike, reminding us that art is about the possibility of multiple readings, and interpretations.