Vanessa Thomas and Chloe 1991

Editor: This is Elsa Dorfman's "Vanessa Thomas and Chloe," from the Harvard Art Museums. It seems to capture a glamorous moment, but there's also something a little… staged about it. What's your take? Curator: Staged, yes, but wonderfully so! The slightly theatrical pose, the dog as prop—it all winks at artifice while celebrating Vanessa's confidence. What's that pose reminding you of? Editor: I don't know… A magician maybe? Curator: Exactly! It’s like Dorfman is saying, “Here is Vanessa, and here is the magic of representation.” Or maybe Vanessa is the magician? Now, who is Chloe? Editor: So, it’s playful, a bit meta, and more about the act of portraying than pure representation. I love that! Thanks!