TWO FIGURES PAPERING SLIDING SCREEN 

Editor: Here we have "Two Figures Papering Sliding Screen" by Torii Kiyomitsu. I find the textures fascinating – the rough paper and the delicate patterns on the kimonos. What stands out to you? Curator: Notice the process itself. The act of papering a screen, a functional object, elevates everyday labor into an art form. The materials, the wood, the paper, the paste, all products of specific social and economic systems. Who produced these materials, and under what conditions? Editor: So, it's not just about the image, but the entire network behind its creation? Curator: Precisely. Consider the social context – what does this tell us about the value placed on domestic labor and artistry at the time? Also, consider the consumption of the artwork by different classes. Editor: I never thought about it that way! It changes how I see the image. Curator: Indeed. This approach helps us appreciate the complex relationship between art, labor, and society.