Untitled 

Curator: This “Untitled” work, brought to us by Kiyokata Kaburagi, captures a quiet, reflective moment in what appears to be an ukiyo-e woodblock print with watercolor elements. I find myself completely drawn into it; there’s a serenity here that is almost palpable. What strikes you? Editor: Immediately, it's the color palette, which seems intentionally restrained, and the way it seems to delineate depth. How the planes of watercolor suggest atmosphere and space intrigues me given its flat presentation; how intentional was the artist at layering the printing blocks to build complexity, versus how accidental were the results? Curator: I love how you’re already diving into the layers – accidental or not, it evokes such a tranquil, hazy day by a waterfall. The woman seems almost translucent against that backdrop, part of the scenery itself. Don't you feel it in your heart that this art aims to create an immersion within its nature-and-narrative bounds? Editor: Absolutely. But is that narrative predetermined, fixed at that very slice of ukiyo-e? Is the nature truly separable from her actions? I can’t help but think of the labor, not just of the artist, but the craftsman making this. I'd be curious about the type of paper, the specific wood blocks, the inks used. It makes me want to engage with art from other craft perspectives. Curator: That is fascinating. To think of the making behind a seemingly spontaneous, peaceful snapshot makes me reflect: How much effort goes into art that evokes the notion of effortlessness? But at the same time, seeing this finished piece is also part of experiencing the hard-working labor of arts behind the work itself. Do you also reflect on this too? Editor: Always. We need to keep in mind that we can often overlook how "natural beauty" isn't separate from its systems of production. I really respect this picture to reflect on craft; on what constitutes the artistic value. I think this “Untitled” artwork brings forward a lot about how the "making" influences its very sense of style, to our perspectives as onlookers and users alike.