A Tale of Two Balconies

With a mirrored presentation that divides the book into two equal parts, A Tale of Two Balconies explores what makes each of these artworks unique. The text examines the circumstances of production and the particularity of their depicted locations in Edo Japan and Victorian England. The authors also explore the balcony as a construct that is at once both private and public. It creates a view, that allows one to visualize and juxtapose different cultural domains both within and beyond the balcony railing. These images are also immersive for the viewer, as they are tacitly included as part of the group of figures depicted within the scene. The book is presented so the reader can pick it up from either side and begin reading; there is no "correct" order. An art-making activity invites the reader to engage further with the themes of perspective and recollection.