from the illustrated book "Kachō gaden" 

Editor: This is an image from "Kachō gaden" by Katsushika Taito II, it seems to be a woodblock print. I’m drawn to the simple lines used to depict movement. What do you see in terms of the artist's process? Curator: The woodblock printing process is crucial here. Consider the labor involved in carving each block for different colors, and how that process shapes the final image. This wasn't just artistic expression, but skilled labor within a specific economic system. Editor: So, the material and means of production tell a story beyond just aesthetics? Curator: Absolutely. We can also analyze the consumption of these prints. Who was buying them? How did they circulate? The materiality of the print links directly to its social life. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. Seeing the artwork as part of a larger system makes it much more interesting. Curator: Exactly! It’s about labor, materiality, and consumption.