[Bill Cody's travelling show, Heringsdorf] c. 1910

Curator: Francis Christophe’s small gelatin silver print, "[Bill Cody's travelling show, Heringsdorf]," offers a glimpse into the spectacle of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. It's a fascinating document of a bygone era. Editor: The inverted tones give it an eerie, ghostly feel. There’s a melancholic quality, especially when considering the complex history of these performances. Curator: Absolutely. These shows were hugely popular, shaping global perceptions of the American West and Indigenous peoples. They promoted a romanticized, often inaccurate narrative, influencing politics of imagery. Editor: The photograph also invites questions about cultural appropriation and exploitation, doesn't it? These performers, likely cast in stereotypical roles, were participating in a spectacle that, in many ways, erased their identities. Curator: Precisely. This image serves as a stark reminder of the historical and social context surrounding these performances, prompting a dialogue about representation, authenticity, and the enduring impact of these narratives. Editor: The image leaves me thinking about the power of performance and its role in shaping collective memory. Curator: And for me, the photograph becomes a lens through which we can critically examine the ways in which history is constructed, disseminated, and consumed.