Gezicht op een straat te Japan before 1892

Curator: I notice that this print of a Japanese street, created before 1892 by William Kinnimond Burton, looks like it's part of a larger bound volume. I'm curious to understand what was this photograph used for. Editor: Yes, that’s right! It is an albumen print included in the book. It captures this fascinating, bustling street scene. The people are blurred and seem really in motion, and you get a strong sense of daily life. What do you see in this piece that stands out to you? Curator: Given Burton's presence in Japan during the Meiji era, a period of rapid modernization and Westernization, this photograph has many connotations. Its main objective would be as an effort to document and categorize aspects of Japanese society for a Western audience who wanted a peek at this foreign and very exotic society. Editor: That’s interesting, I had not considered the potential orientalist view. Curator: And photography was becoming increasingly influential in shaping public perceptions. Who got to tell which story and what that story looked like was crucial. Did the photographer choose which scenes would interest foreigners the most? The image production during the late 19th century cannot be disconnected from these debates and imperialist views. Editor: So, rather than a purely artistic endeavor, it’s operating within a specific historical and cultural framework? I see now that the book it belongs to contextualizes its message, emphasizing those political dimensions of the work. Curator: Exactly! Understanding that context allows us to move beyond a simple appreciation of its aesthetic qualities and start analyzing its role in shaping perceptions of Japan. Editor: This was super insightful! I’ll definitely be keeping this in mind when looking at art from this period. Thank you so much!