Seven Chinese Immortals (left screen) late 18th-early 19th century

Editor: This is "Seven Chinese Immortals (left screen)" by Matsumura Goshun. It's ink on paper. The figures seem to float, almost weightless. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a commentary on power structures. The Immortals, elevated above the earthly plane, perhaps represent an idealized meritocracy, but who gets to decide who is immortalized? How does class and gender shape these narratives? Editor: That’s interesting. I hadn't considered the implications of who gets to be an Immortal. Curator: Exactly! And the delicate ink wash technique invites us to contemplate the fleeting nature of such power, doesn’t it? It alludes to the transient nature of political and social dominance. Editor: I never would have thought about it that way, thank you. Curator: It's all about questioning the established narratives!