Chili, from the Dancing Girls of the World series (N185) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

Editor: This is “Chili, from the Dancing Girls of the World series” from 1889 by Wm. S. Kimball & Co., currently housed at The Met. It’s… well, it’s quite striking, but I'm getting a bit of an Orientalist vibe from it. What jumps out at you when you look at it? Curator: You know, “striking” is a generous word – it certainly grabs your attention! Yes, it has Orientalist undertones. The imagined depiction of ‘exotic’ women was all the rage back then, filtered through a Western lens. Look closely – do you see how the artist uses watercolor, imitating the style of Ukiyo-e prints? A flattened perspective and bold outlines, yes, but lacking the nuance of true Japanese artistry. It’s almost as if they picked up a travel brochure and painted a scene from their imagination. Editor: So, not exactly authentic? Curator: Authenticity wasn’t really the point, sad to say. This was a collector’s item, inserted into cigarette packs to boost sales. The aim wasn't to portray reality, but to fuel a fantasy, and tap into existing exoticising, sometimes colonial, perceptions. I wonder if it says anything about our ongoing desire to categorise and label different cultures. What do you reckon? Editor: Hmmm… You’re right; even today we struggle with representation. I see the image as a fascinating time capsule of societal attitudes packaged within a consumer product. It makes you wonder about all the hidden biases that we are subjected to in media. Curator: Precisely. The art is reflective not of it's subject, but its audience. A perfect paradox, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely! That’s a powerful thought, something I’ll definitely keep in mind. Thanks!