RIGHT: BIRD AND CHRYSANTHEMUM, LEFT: BUTTERFLY AND PEONIES c. 19th century

Curator: Editor: This artwork consists of two prints by Utagawa Hiroshige: "Bird and Chrysanthemum" and "Butterfly and Peonies." The paper itself seems to carry a lot of the visual weight here. What stands out to you? Curator: It's fascinating to consider the woodblock printing process, the labor involved in creating multiple impressions. The contrast of the bird versus butterfly motifs and their corresponding flora may be symbolic of class divisions: the working class represented by the industrious bird in comparison to the elite butterfly, don't you think? Editor: That's a really interesting perspective! I hadn't thought about the social implications. The materiality definitely does make you think about the artist's labor. Curator: Indeed. Thinking about the means of production reframes how we engage with the artwork. It's not just about aesthetics. Editor: Definitely! This has given me a lot to consider regarding the creation and significance of this piece.