Zeven speren van de Ngbandi en de Mobali 1896

Editor: This is a print from 1896 by Franz Thonner, entitled "Zeven speren van de Ngbandi en de Mobali" which translates to "Seven Spears of the Ngbandi and the Mobali." The print depicts several spears lined up; the style reminds me a bit of scientific illustration. What's your interpretation of this image? Curator: Seeing this image, I'm immediately struck by the colonial gaze inherent in its creation. A European man, Thonner, is documenting, cataloging, almost possessing, these spears. What does it mean to strip these objects of their context, their use within the Ngbandi and Mobali communities? It’s vital to consider how this form of visual record-keeping contributed to the broader project of colonial power and knowledge production. Editor: That makes sense. It's not just about the spears themselves, but the act of representing them. Curator: Exactly. Consider the act of "realism" here. Is it truly capturing reality, or is it imposing a European standard of representation onto objects that held different significance within their own cultural framework? Were these spears understood simply as weapons by the Ngbandi and Mobali peoples, or were they also symbolic, perhaps connected to ritual or status? How does removing them from that context affect our understanding? Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way. It makes you question the authority of the image, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. By interrogating the circumstances of this print's creation, we can begin to unpack the power dynamics at play and challenge the seemingly neutral perspective that it presents. What do you feel are the responsibilities when exhibiting images that potentially reproduce harmful colonial narratives? Editor: It's definitely a reminder to include context, voices, and perspectives from the cultures represented, ensuring it's not just a one-sided story. It's fascinating how a seemingly simple image of spears can open up such a complex conversation. Curator: Indeed, that’s the power of art – to make us question the world around us.