Untitled (throwing rice) 1948

Curator: Here we have Martin Schweig’s photographic print, known as "Untitled (throwing rice)," held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's a charming glimpse into a bygone era! The flurry of rice gives it a spontaneous, celebratory feel. Curator: Indeed. Rice, of course, has long been a symbol of fertility and prosperity in wedding celebrations, connecting the couple to hopes for abundance. It's a powerful cultural emblem. Editor: I'm curious about the choice of gelatin silver print. The tonal range captures the nuances of the subjects. The graininess adds to that impromptu quality, suggesting a document of an unrepeatable moment. Curator: And the smiles—a cascade of joy, from the couple to the onlookers. It’s a lovely demonstration of shared happiness, captured in a specific moment, but with lasting symbolic weight. Editor: It makes me think about how social rituals materialize in photographs. Curator: A beautiful testament to cultural continuity! Editor: And how materials capture fleeting moments.