Bowl 

Editor: Right in front of us, we have an earthenware bowl. While its creation date is unknown, we know it originates from the Indigenous Americas and is currently held at the Met. There’s a real simplicity to its geometric decorations that I find appealing. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: This piece makes me consider the socio-political context of its creation, and later, its journey into a museum collection. Did the communities who crafted and used this bowl have any say in its current display and interpretation? What symbolic meanings would these images hold within their own culture, beyond simple decoration? Editor: That’s an interesting point. Do you think museums sufficiently represent the voices and histories of the cultures that created these objects? Curator: That's the critical question, isn’t it? Whose narrative are we hearing? The display practices, the curatorial choices, and even the language we use in audio guides—all contribute to shaping public understanding. Does this museum practice acknowledge colonial legacies and power dynamics inherent in collecting artifacts like this bowl? Editor: It's a complex issue. The bowl itself, made from humble earthenware, is elevated within the institution. Curator: Exactly. It raises questions about authenticity, ownership, and cultural representation. Consider how something that may have been an everyday object transforms into an art object laden with historical and political weight. How can we better incorporate the knowledge and perspectives of Indigenous communities into how we interpret these objects? Editor: Definitely. I never really thought about how much a museum changes an ordinary object into something of political importance. Curator: Precisely! It's a valuable lesson in seeing beyond the aesthetic to consider the deeper implications of art's role in society.