Plate II, Eight Parrot Dancers in Two Rows, from Ballet of Bears with Parrots, Ballet by Jean Baptiste Balbi for "La Finta Pazza" c. 17th century

Curator: This is Valerio Spada's "Plate II, Eight Parrot Dancers in Two Rows, from Ballet of Bears with Parrots, Ballet by Jean Baptiste Balbi for 'La Finta Pazza.'" Editor: It's a small print, but the stark lines give it a surprising sense of drama! I'm immediately struck by the costumes, the way they’re so minimal yet elaborate. Curator: Right, the materiality of theatre informs Spada's work here. The context is crucial; it’s connected to courtly entertainment and, in turn, the era’s fascination with exoticism and power dynamics. Editor: How interesting! So, this "ballet" serves as both spectacle and a reflection of colonial attitudes towards the "other," doesn't it? And the spears they wield must be made from the materials available, influencing the dance itself. Curator: Precisely. The bodies, the costumes, and even the tools they use are all interwoven with the sociopolitical realities of 17th-century Europe. Editor: It's amazing how a simple print can open up such a layered discussion about labor, performance, and identity. Curator: Yes, and that's precisely why it remains a powerful piece for us to reconsider today.