[Group of 18 Stereograph Views of the 1884/1885 New Orleans Centennial International Exhibition] 1850 - 1919

These stereograph views of the 1884/1885 New Orleans Centennial International Exposition were made by the Centennial Photographic Company. The company employed photographic processes to create these double images on card stock, designed to give a three-dimensional impression when viewed through a stereoscope. This was a popular form of entertainment at the time, offering a seemingly realistic glimpse into other cultures and places. These particular photographs are a visual record, capturing the material culture and staged presence of Native American peoples at the exhibition. The tipi, the clothing, and other cultural objects are presented as exhibits. Consider the amount of work involved in making each photograph, and the layers of cultural labor involved in setting up and documenting such a scene. Ultimately, these stereographs were commodities, mass-produced for consumption. They were a powerful tool for shaping public perception, reflecting the prevailing social and political attitudes of the time, and blurring the lines between documentation, entertainment, and exploitation.