Abalone (Awabi), Halfbeak (Sayori) and Peach (Momo), from the series A Shoal of Fishes (Uozukushi) c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have Utagawa Hiroshige's "Abalone (Awabi), Halfbeak (Sayori) and Peach (Momo)," from his series "A Shoal of Fishes (Uozukushi)." Editor: I’m struck by the contrast! The abalone shell is massive, almost geological, while the halfbeak seems delicate, almost a fleeting thought. Curator: Precisely! The juxtaposition of the sea's bounty with the fleeting beauty of the peach blossom, it's a commentary on nature's cycles of abundance and ephemerality, very potent themes. Editor: And how food intersects with beauty! The fish isn't just an object; it's both sustenance and part of a visual poem. Hiroshige, then, positions the viewer in an active role. Curator: Yes, the viewer participates in this world, and is implicated in the cycle of consumption. Food, like art, nourishes us but also connects us to larger ecological and cultural systems. Editor: It makes you think about our relationship with the natural world, doesn't it? How we consume it, how we depict it, and what responsibilities we bear. Curator: Indeed. Hiroshige gives us a moment to meditate on that, using imagery that resonates even now.