Untitled (Disneyland) 1985

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by Bill Dane, probably taken at Disneyland. It features a collection of kitschy Hawaiian statues. It feels almost anthropological, but… what is Dane trying to say here? Curator: I think Dane is commenting on the commodification of culture, particularly how Disneyland packages and sells a romanticized, often inaccurate, view of places like Hawaii. Do you see how these figurines, en masse, become something other than mere souvenirs? Editor: I see what you mean. They’re mass-produced, stripping away any genuine cultural significance. Curator: Exactly. By photographing them in this way, Dane is highlighting the artificiality and the commercial forces at play in shaping our perceptions of other cultures. It makes you wonder about the ethics of representation, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely gives me a lot to think about. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. I hope it inspires further investigation into the power dynamics behind seemingly innocent imagery.