Rue du commerce in Port Said met winkels waaronder die van sigarettenfabrikant Simon Arzt c. 1870 - 1890

Editor: This is an albumen print from around 1870-1890 by C. & G. Zangaki, titled "Rue du commerce in Port Said met winkels waaronder die van sigarettenfabrikant Simon Arzt," which translates to "Commerce Street in Port Said with shops including those of cigarette manufacturer Simon Arzt." It feels incredibly staged; the people seem unnaturally posed. What's your interpretation of this work? Curator: It's vital to look beyond the seemingly staged composition. This photograph participates in the visual language of Orientalism, reinforcing the Western gaze on the East. While appearing to document reality, it subtly constructs a narrative of colonial power dynamics and exoticism for a Western audience. Notice how the locals are arranged almost like props in a scene, compared to the Westerners visible on the upper floors. How does this imagery contribute to a specific idea about Egyptian identity and agency, particularly through a racial and socioeconomic lens? Editor: So, the seemingly innocent street scene is actually a loaded representation? Curator: Exactly. Think about who is controlling the photographic lens and who is being photographed. This reflects and perpetuates an unequal power relationship. The presence of "Simon Arzt", a cigarette manufacturer, also speaks to the economic exploitation inherent in colonial projects. It makes you consider who is profiting, and at whose expense. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. I was so focused on the people and their expressions, I missed the larger context. Curator: Precisely! Examining these historical images requires critical analysis, going beyond the surface to understand how they engaged in shaping perceptions and maintaining colonial structures. By considering its history we come to a more contemporary awareness. Editor: This has completely shifted my view of this photo. I will never look at a “simple” street photograph in the same way again! Curator: And hopefully consider more closely how the image relates to similar depictions and what socioeconomic status it implies. Thank you for sharing!