Tram en passanten in een park in Tokyo 1900 - 1907

Editor: This photograph, "Tram en passanten in een park in Tokyo," was taken between 1900 and 1907 by T. Enami. It's interesting seeing a bustling Tokyo street captured so early in the 20th century. The texture and tonality create this grainy but focused image. How would you read it? Curator: I immediately see the materiality inherent in documenting a rapidly changing urban landscape. This is not just an image, but a document reflecting shifts in labor and social structure. Editor: How so? Curator: Consider the tram itself. Its construction demanded industrial production, skilled labor, and resource extraction. It symbolizes modernization. Similarly, the rickshaws visible offer a visual contrast and show a persistent form of labor against technological innovation. The presence of both reveals a transitional moment concerning the organization of labor in this society. Does it seem posed to you, or more candid? Editor: Leaning towards candid because people seem busy doing other things than looking at the photographer. How did Enami make a living doing photography in this period? Curator: Precisely. The production of these images was also part of a burgeoning industry, targeting both domestic and international consumption. Were these photos made as postcards for trade, or for other forms of global exchange? Its value shifts depending on whether we focus on labor or distribution. Editor: It's fascinating to consider this photo not just as an artwork, but also as an artifact shaped by its means of production and social context. I hadn't considered that production process. Curator: By recognizing the processes and power structures behind even a simple street scene, we can deeply appreciate the history of technology and consumption intersecting with the artistic eye.