Zoetwaterafdeling van het Berliner Aquarium, gezien vanuit de volière 1869 - 1890

Curator: This albumen print captures a slice of Berlin's history: S.P. Christmann’s photograph, likely taken between 1869 and 1890, showcases the freshwater section of the Berliner Aquarium, as seen from the aviary. Editor: Immediately, I am struck by how meticulously artificial the natural world seems. The grotto-like structures and subdued lighting evoke an atmosphere that is at once theatrical and haunting. It’s a captivating tableau of fabricated wilderness. Curator: You know, aquariums like this one were enormously popular during that period. They became a crucial way to educate the public about natural history and colonial encounters with new worlds. The display isn’t simply showing nature; it's crafting an experience, one deeply enmeshed with public edification and, honestly, empire. Editor: Yes, there’s a strong element of staged exoticism. That meticulously constructed rocky facade almost mocks the natural erosion that carves out true grottos. What seems like nature is essentially architectural and scenographic! It invites contemplation about how we’ve sought to categorize and capture nature within a very specific, controlled lens. Curator: Absolutely! And if we observe the albumen print process here—it was chosen to be readily reproduced and consumed, signifying photography's power to render the exotic "knowable" for the growing middle class. The multiple images further invite you to step into the three-dimensionality of the scene. Editor: True, there’s something particularly powerful about witnessing the staged scene from the perspective of an aviary. Is the viewer observing nature? Or are they being observed by it? The blurring of lines suggests an interplay of captivity and spectacle that I believe reveals far more than just an architectural space; it shows our human need to curate the world. Curator: Considering all the political, socio-economic dimensions that can be excavated from what we have just been talking about – its pretty stunning work isn’t it! Editor: Definitely! In delving into this constructed slice of history, my initial impression transforms into an understanding of staged landscapes and social reflections from the 19th century!