Toto's avonturen op de wereldtentoonstelling te Antwerpen c. 1902

Editor: This lithograph, "Toto's Adventures at the World's Fair in Antwerp" from around 1902 by Pellerin & Cie, strikes me as… well, troubling. The caricatures are very much of their time. How do you interpret this work through a contemporary lens? Curator: It's impossible, and I would argue irresponsible, to ignore the deeply problematic imagery. World’s Fairs were often showcases for imperial power, using racist caricatures of colonized peoples as entertainment, to demonstrate a supposed hierarchy. Notice how indigenous people are portrayed in relation to the supposedly "civilized" world of Europe. What does this "adventure" narrative implicitly say about cultural exchange and power? Editor: So the lighthearted comic style actually masks a darker message about colonialism? Curator: Precisely. These images helped to normalize and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Look at how people from Africa and Asia are drawn versus Toto, the main character. Consider how the “exotic” is presented. Editor: It’s disturbing to realize something seemingly innocent carries such a heavy cultural burden. Is there any value in engaging with art like this today, considering the painful stereotypes? Curator: Absolutely. Confronting this imagery allows us to critically examine the historical roots of prejudice and inequality, question systems of representation, and actively challenge their lasting impact. Ignoring it doesn't erase the harm it caused, or prevent its insidious recurrence. It prompts essential discussions about how we depict each other today, doesn't it? Editor: It does. Thank you. It's important to engage with challenging historical artwork in this manner, recognizing its harmful content while examining the social context of its creation and reception. Curator: Indeed. Art history, especially the study of pieces like this, is a tool for understanding and hopefully dismantling harmful structures.