Fireworks at Ryōgoku Bridge c. 1832 - 1834

Editor: So, this woodblock print, "Fireworks at Ryōgoku Bridge," dating back to around 1832-1834, is by Utagawa Hiroshige, and it's currently housed here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. There's a really interesting tension between the flat planes of color and the implied depth, and that vibrant burst of firework red against the dark sky! What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: What strikes me, hmm... It's funny, isn't it? Here's this explosive celebration, this fleeting moment of intense beauty rendered with such stillness and quiet observation. Imagine being there, crammed onto one of those boats, cheek-to-cheek with strangers, the air thick with smoke, all craning your necks to catch a glimpse of ephemeral blossoms of light. Hiroshige distills that frenetic energy into something serene. Do you see how the bridge seems to connect earth and sky, how the boats reflect the glowing colors in the water? Editor: Absolutely, I see the stillness in the chaos. It almost feels dreamlike because of that contradiction. Did this type of imagery have a name? Curator: Good question. It does. This is *ukiyo-e*, pictures of the floating world. It was all about capturing everyday life and pleasures, like… well, like a fireworks display! It’s the ultimate in celebrating ephemeral beauty, something transient. Everything becomes a little sweeter, knowing it cannot last, don't you think? And that single red stroke of fire against a deep indigo blue, my oh my… Editor: That makes perfect sense. It is very wistful now that you point out that the aesthetic revolves around such everyday subject matter! Curator: It's about cherishing fleeting moments, something maybe we could all use a reminder of. Even when the sky is a bit grey, and fireworks are but fading embers. What do you take away? Editor: I'll definitely be thinking about appreciating those brief moments of beauty – maybe next time I see fireworks, I’ll think about this print. Thanks!