Prentbriefkaart aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1912

Editor: We’re looking at "Prentbriefkaart aan Philip Zilcken," possibly from 1912, by J. Fujikawa. It seems to be ink on paper, basically the back of a postcard with some lovely script in both French and Japanese. The hand-lettering is what grabs me. It's so personal. What strikes you when you see this? Curator: Oh, it whispers of intimate connections across continents. Imagine, if you will, holding this fragile piece of paper, a direct conduit to a conversation held over a century ago! The "personal sketchbook" feel is strong, isn’t it? Notice how the artist isn't striving for perfection, rather a lively record of their thoughts and artistic flourishes in pen. The visual equivalent of a spontaneous chuckle, a note slipped between friends. Does that French text tell you something about Fujikawa, perhaps? Editor: Yes! The French is a message to Monsieur Zilcken about moving house, still being at the theatre… sort of everyday news. Did Zilcken collect postcards? Curator: Perhaps, or maybe this *was* the artwork itself – a momentary burst of creation mailed as correspondence. Fujikawa was a theatrical designer with post-impressionist influences. I'm more charmed by the unpolished feel than some grand statement on the era. But now I'm curious -- does knowing it's a *postcard* change your perception, compared to seeing it framed in a gallery? Editor: Definitely. I imagined a personal journal at first. Knowing it traveled distances, adds so much. Thanks, that puts a whole new spin on it. Curator: Exactly! Art lives and breathes when we place it within human exchanges, no?