Bund, Kobe c. 1887

Curator: The hand-colored photograph before us is entitled "Bund, Kobe" by Adolfo Farsari. I see a quiet, almost melancholic scene, reminiscent of a colonial outpost. Editor: It's interesting to consider how Farsari, an Italian, adapted his photographic practices to capture this Japanese scene. The hand-coloring process surely added to the exoticism for Western viewers. Curator: The Bund, or waterfront, serves as a potent symbol of cultural exchange and, perhaps, of power dynamics. The very act of documenting it through this meticulous photographic process speaks volumes. Editor: Indeed. The materials—photographic chemicals, paper, dyes—and the labor involved, reflect a Western gaze imposed upon the landscape. Curator: The image subtly evokes a sense of longing, reflecting both the allure and the complexities of cultural encounters, a sentiment deeply embedded in the visual symbolism of the time. Editor: Examining this photograph through the lens of its production reminds us that images are never neutral; they are products of specific materials, labor, and social contexts.