from the illustrated book "Kachō gaden" 

Curator: Katsushika Taito II gifts us these ducks from his "Kachō Gaden" illustrated book. It’s a harmonious scene, isn’t it? Editor: It feels like a moment suspended—a tranquil pond disrupted only by the concentric circles of the ducks' activity. Curator: The intimacy feels remarkable, almost voyeuristic. I wonder about the human element; the artist's proximity, the viewer's gaze. Editor: How does the representation of nature here intersect with the socio-political context of its creation? Are these ducks merely decorative, or do they speak to larger themes of power and representation? Curator: Perhaps they reflect a yearning for harmony amid societal pressures, a quiet rebellion in the everyday. Editor: Maybe so. These fowl are definitely still subjects to be exploited by those in power. Curator: That's so true. Anyway, a lot to think about with these ducks. Editor: Indeed. And it makes the experience of encountering art so worthwhile.