Untitled (ferry crossing river carrying men and animals) c. 1887

Curator: This photograph, by Adolfo Farsari, captures a ferry crossing a river, laden with people and animals. Editor: It’s remarkably serene. The subdued tones and diffused light give it a dreamlike quality, almost like a memory. Curator: The image itself, while seemingly a simple snapshot of daily life, speaks volumes about the transition from old to new in Meiji-era Japan. Consider the figures on the boat, frozen in transit, perhaps emblematic of the shifting social landscape. Editor: Absolutely. The presence of both humans and animals together invites reflection on their interwoven destinies amidst rapid industrialisation and urbanisation. The river itself becomes a potent symbol of borders and crossing. Curator: Indeed, and we can’t ignore how the composition—the balance of the boat, the positioning of the figures—echoes the classical East Asian landscape paintings. There's a sense of timelessness contrasted against the modern medium of photography. Editor: It’s a fascinating contradiction, isn't it? This photograph, though specific in its depiction, reverberates with so many historical and cultural echoes. Curator: Ultimately, it allows us to contemplate the complex interplay between tradition and change. Editor: And challenges us to consider the stories of those whose lives were irrevocably altered during this transformative period.