Draad- en gipsconstructie in de vorm van een olifant tijdens de Wereldtentoonstelling voor het Hotel- en Reiswezen op het Museumplein in 1895 1895

Editor: So, this photograph captures a rather incredible sight – a wire and plaster elephant construction at the World Exhibition for Hotel and Tourism in Amsterdam's Museum Square in 1895. It’s attributed to Guy de Coral & Co. The sheer scale of it and its almost cartoonish grandeur strikes me immediately. What am I supposed to make of this? Curator: Well, think about the purpose of these World Exhibitions. They were monumental displays of national power, technological progress, and often, imperial reach. This elephant isn't just whimsical; it’s a statement. The animal itself would have evoked images of the exotic colonies, and its size demonstrates Dutch ambition. Editor: An advertisement? Curator: Precisely! Consider its location – this is an advertisement, an elaborate piece of marketing promoting the possibilities of global tourism, especially for the elites. How does it make you consider the role of tourism? Editor: It feels like it's less about authentic cultural exchange and more about…consumption, almost like a trophy to display and take pictures of. The architecture of the Elephant is in distinct non-western style...appropriative almost? Curator: Exactly. It's important to remember these events served to both create and reinforce a worldview – one that emphasized European dominance and framed non-European cultures as spectacles. Tourism was still in its early stages of democratisation and luxury travel such as train travel through British-controlled Egypt were very in-vogue. Editor: I never would have thought a photograph of a giant elephant could tell you so much about the politics of its time. I'll look at old pictures in a new way after this! Curator: Understanding the socio-political context really enriches our viewing experience. This piece of promotional material has a powerful message, if you think about the target customer in 1895.