Cafeteria, Brookhaven National Lab 1979

Curator: This gelatin silver print by Per Brandin captures a woman in the cafeteria of Brookhaven National Lab. What strikes you first? Editor: The stark, almost clinical, composition creates an immediate sense of isolation. The gray scale reinforces a feeling of being trapped in time, caught between utility and despair. Curator: Indeed, the composition directs our eyes, leading us to consider the woman in her social context. We see the mundane labor, the repetitive tasks—an institutionalized setting. Editor: And yet, the composition of the photo is classically balanced. The tray of cups echoes her own composure. Brandin uses tone and texture to bring our attention to the center of the composition. Curator: Placing her within the cafeteria of a national lab subtly suggests women’s roles within larger scientific narratives, often unacknowledged. Editor: A compelling reminder to look closely at the details and to understand the roles played by individuals within larger cultural narratives. Curator: Quite so; Brandin encourages us to see both the beauty and the burden.