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How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these images?:

While viewing An Indian from India by Annu Palakunnathu Matthew, I am configured as a viewer to question preconceived notions about identity, ethnicity, and the history of colonialism. This image allows me to have deeper thoughts and reflections on my own perspective of identity and how this label is shaped by historical events of colonial power.

What ideologies are reinforced?

The image of "An Indian from India" reinforces the ideology of the long-lasting impact that colonialism has had on the impact of cultural and ethnic identity. This image highlights how Indians from India and Native Americans have both been erased or distorted by Western colonial forces.

What ideologies are challenged?

The photo is centered around the West's understanding of identity, which frequently confuses and distorts non-Western civilizations. It also challenges the standardization of ethnic groups, which encouraged me as the viewer to consider the repercussions of the colonial classification of humans.

What institutions inform how power is represented (Foucault) in your viewing of these images?

This photo demonstrates the power to influence our views on different cultures that have been created within institutions such as historical books, museums, and educational programs. All these sources have produced a discourse for centuries that merges various ethnic identities together. It is significant because these images make me aware of the connection between power and knowledge about the representation and labeling of people.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relation to these images?

As a spectator, I am looking at both the comparison aspect and the confrontational element of cultural identities. The juxtaposition of the traditional American Indian and the Indian fellow in a reversed view develops a particular tense atmosphere. As a viewer, I have to contemplate about the developed and performed identity aspects, race and power relations, especially in a historical colonial context. The photography here brings some reflection on the stereotypical outlook of races and the marginalization of groups, questioning an understanding of these identities and how they have been influenced historically.

What ideologies are reinforced?

The photographs reinforce the ideology of colonial representation through the invocation of familial stereotypes linked to Indigenous people in the Western fashion of thinking and the exotification of Indians from India. The traditional portrayal of American Indians as exoticized subjects is a reflection in these photographs, emphasizing the power dynamic needs in visual culture where specific ethnicities are documented and defined by colonial powers. Also, the photographs reinforce entrenched perceptions about identity and ethnicity.

What ideologies are challenged?

By reversing the roles of the subjects in the second image, with the person from India in the place of the “Indian” and the white man in the role of the colonized, the images challenge the deeply connected visual ideologies of colonialism. The viewer would reconsider how these identities have been developed and misrepresented. This inversion disrupts the normative roles and confronts the assumption that Western viewers hold the authoritative gaze over subjects. It also challenges the monolithic representation of "the other" by introducing a dialogue between two distinct, historically marginalized groups.

What institutions inform how power is represented (Foucault) in your viewing of these images?

From a Foucauldian perspective, institutions such as colonialism, anthropology, and even photography itself as a medium are instrumental in shaping how power is represented here. The visual arrangement of the subjects reflects the historical power dynamics between the colonizer and colonized, particularly the use of photography as a tool of control, documentation, and classification during the colonial period. The photograph acts as a surveillance mechanism, categorizing the subjects within constructed racial hierarchies.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these images?

As a spectator in relation to this image, it is making me reflect on the constructed nature of identity at the time that this image was taken; both for Indigenous and Indian people who were considered “the other” and categorized under one identity. This shows the historical framing of anyone other than White or European to be seen under one identity as Indian.

What ideologies are reinforced?  What ideologies are challenged?

Historical colonial ideology reinforces the categorization of Indigenous and Indian people as “the Other” due to perceived biological differences from White Europeans. This classification served to justify colonization and control. However, the image also challenges these ideas by reversing roles in the second image and including a female, making me question these historical power dynamics and racial constructs created through institutions.

What institutions inform how power is represented (Foucault) in your viewing of these images?

The institutions would be government policies, power settlers held, and educational systems perpetuating colonial narratives and stereotypes. These institutions not only shaped public perception but also influenced the self-identification of Indigenous and Indian peoples, reducing their cultures and identities to a singular, homogenized representation.

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How are you configured as a spectator of these images?

As a spectator, I see a thought-provoking juxtaposition of cultural identities and visual narratives in these images.

What ideologies are reinforced are challenged?

The pictures reinforce how early-century colonial photographers portrayed Native Americans and Indians. Besides, the traditional attire is increased to cultural identity.

The images set a cultural identity and status by switching individuals' attire and poses. Matthew challenges the viewers to question the exotic versus the familiar.

What institutions inform how power is represented (Foucault) in your viewing of these images?

Art Galleries and Museums represent the power of viewing these pictures because these institutions keep books and photographs in a historical and cultural context for people. So, Individuals can see the identity and power of the images. Educational institutions also play a significant role in representing the power to view these pictures through books and teaching.

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1. How Are You Configured as a Spectator in Relationship to These Images?

Ans. When I look at Annu Palakunnathu Matthew's "An Indian from India," I am not just a passive viewer; I’m actively involved in interpreting how identity is portrayed through visuals. The photos make me think about identity as something shaped by culture, history, and global influences. I feel intrigued by the contrast between traditional and Western attire, sparking questions about authenticity and cultural identity. These images challenge how I perceive identity visually, making me consider how clothing and posture influence my understanding of cultural identity.

2. What Ideologies Are Reinforced?

Ans. The images highlight the historical power imbalances between the West and colonized nations like India. By using sepia tones and a formal portrait style reminiscent of colonial photography, the photos depict how Indian subjects were often eroticized or seen as different from Western norms. This portrayal suggests that Western perspectives have historically influenced judgments of Indian identity.

Additionally, the contrast between traditional Indian attire and Western clothing in the images plays into the binary view of culture as either traditional or modern. This comparison can perpetuate stereotypes associating Western styles with progress and traditional Indian culture with being outdated or unchanging.

3. What Ideologies Are Challenged?

Ans. Matthew's work challenges the idea that identity is fixed to ethnicity and geography. By showing the same person in different cultural settings, the photos suggest that identity is flexible and complex. This challenges the colonial-era beliefs that tried to label non-Western people based on surface traits. Additionally, the images reclaim how Indian identity is depicted. Unlike traditional colonial portraits, the subjects in Matthew's photos are empowered and interact with the viewer, changing the power dynamics of colonial photography.

4. What Institutions Inform How Power Is Represented (Foucault)?

Ans. Foucault talks about how institutions play a big role in shaping power dynamics, and in this case, various institutions influence how I interpret these images:

Historical Institutions: The influence of British colonialism in India is evident in the style of these photos, resembling early ethnographic photography used for control. Despite this history, the subjects in Matthew's work resist being passive, challenging the colonial narrative.

Modern Influences: Today's globalized world, including media and culture, impacts how we perceive identity. These images show how media shapes our views on how Indians should appear or behave, reflecting the pressure to conform to certain standards.

Educational Settings: In an academic setting like my, discussions around post colonialism and representation are significant. Analyzing these images allows for a critical examination of power dynamics in visual representation, highlighting how power operates through images and challenging established norms.

Conclusion:

In looking at "An Indian from India," I have faced with a mix of identity, history, and portrayal. The photos both support and challenge ideas about being "Indian" or "Western," showing how these identities are influenced by external factors. Colonialism, media, and education all shape how power is depicted, but these images encourage me to rethink those power dynamics and how identity is formed in the past and present.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these images?

As a spectator, the image in An Indian from India by Annu Palakunnathu Matthew shows that how the power and identity is represented. I probably feel a personal connection to the culture and history which are shown in the photographs. The comparison of a Native American and an Indian makes me think about the mixture of colonialism at that time and different identities were confused. I am looking at the artwork and i also realized that my own identity is turned by how the colonial powers misunderstood people from different parts of the world.

What ideologies are reinforced?

These photographs also show how they used their powers to misinterpret the whole group. the confusion between the people ( Native Americans and Indians) shows that the colonizers forced their misunderstandings with different groups and this affects the people today also. The differences between the traditional clothing of the Native American and modern clothing of Indians shows the difference between time and location. The two people with different backgrounds and culture , despite this both were called Indians.

What ideologies are challenged?

The idea which is challenged here is that the people can be labelled. these photos shows that the word Indian can mean different things which further depends on different situations either they are Native American or they are from India. one more ideology which is challenged is that how the western people mis-represented the people who are not from western country.

What institutions inform how power is represented ( Foucault) in your viewing of these images?

Institutions like colonial governments play a big role in controlling and informing the non-European people. these photographs shows that how they document and define these. this allows the western people to label in give the identity to the native people and the people who are colonialized.

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How are you configured as a spectator in a relationship to these images?

As a viewer, your understanding of images is shaped by personal and cultural background. Your experiences and beliefs influence how you perceive the visual stories being told. Depending on your own identity, you might find a connection with certain elements or take a more critical stance.

What ideologies are reinforced?

The photographs may strengthen existing stereotypes or traditional views of Indian culture, focusing on themes like spirituality, family, and heritage. Such representations can create a romanticized and simplistic image of Indian life, appealing to both local and global audiences.

What ideologies are challenged?

On the other hand, the work can also challenge these traditional narratives by offering a more complex and modern perspective on Indian identity. The images might depict urban life, diversity, and contemporary social issues, suggesting that Indian culture is varied and evolving rather than fixed.

What institutions inform, how power is represented (Foucault)?

Using Foucault’s ideas, we can examine how institutions- such as media, art venues, and educational systems- shape the stories told through these images. They influence which narratives gain visibility and whose identities are celebrated, reflecting the power dynamics in cultural representation.

Conclusion

Overall, engaging with the photographs by Matthew and Annu Palakunnathu prompts a deeper understanding of identity and representation. Your interpretation is shaped by the underlying ideologies and the border institutional contexts, highlighting the intricate connections between culture, power, and visual storytelling.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these images?

This imagery is concerning for me. Sitting in a posed position and made to look settled in a photograph, makes me wonder what lies were told to get them to sit in the first place. Growing up, I remember playing the now controversial game of cowboys and Indians, this image is what I would have told you was a correct representation of what an Indian looked like. Both people are showing the images of what the typical White privileged man and Indigenous person would have looked like... Right?

What ideologies are reinforced are challenged?

A rich white man and native Indian on the left and a wealthy Indian and an explorer white man on the right. Supporting the ideology of the times. White supremacism over the "uncivilized" Indian. And then you see a wealthy Indian woman, holding space for an explorer, signifies the wealth of the country and the trade they were probably seeking at the time.

What institutions inform how power is represented in your viewing of these images?

Colonialism has made Europe a large benefactor in the wealth that was commandeered from the civilizations they have dominated. Imagery has been repetitively shown over time, solidifying their storyline and new world order. These images are one of many items that connect the dots of how people were treated, manipulated and traumatized for the sake of domination and wealth. Trade and land drove the curiosity that ruined generations of people, in some areas communities were wiped from the earth completely due to disease and misunderstanding. The telling of the atrocities that happened is said to bring about reconciliation, but it should be told by the survivors.

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How are you configured as a spectator to these images?:

While I am viewing the images here of An Indian from India; I am configured as a viewer to this juxtaposition between the comparison of two differing cultural and ethical identities that fall under one name due to the swathes of colonialism. The spectacle that I am witness to here in these images reflect onto me the conflicted ideologies and misconceptions of that period of time, that we are now able to clearly recognize through the lens of today.

What ideologies are challenged?

This image portrays the ideology that these two human beings from opposite sides of the planet are labeled under the same name, hence disregarding the rich history and culture of either side of the "Indian" term. By having the Native American dressed in his traditional clothes sit beside both the Indian woman and whitemen in their more plain "modern" clothes, it creates a spectacle out of him, as something "exotic", dehumanizing him. This also puts the Indian lady into a difficult position as she is also labeled simply as an "indian", with no gender attachment; same as the "indian" man, whereas the whitemen are seen as human as they are referred to as "men", causing further dehumanization.

What institutions inform how power is represented (foucault) in your viewing of these images?

Looking through a Foucaultian lens, the institutions that are present are certainly colonialism, and the power imbalances that occur because of it. We see in the image on the left of the whiteman and the Native american man labeled as "Indian"; the way that the whiteman is dressed in a "civilized" manner compared to the Native man wearing his traditional clothing tries to degrade the "indian" as a savage, as uncivilized and wild, playing on the already present stereotypes of Native Americans. Then in the second image, we see a well put together Indian woman sitting next to a whiteman wearing less fancy clothing, however the woman is still labelled simply as "Indian" whereas the man is labelled as "whiteman" giving him a more humanizing discription, whereas the lady is put into a very general term of "indian" which now doesn't carry it's authenticity due to the confusing wording used to describe both the Native american man and herself both as Indian, discrediting both cultures' credibility, uniqueness. And when looking through the eyes of the Foucaultian perspective where the history of a group of people is everything, the disregard for the differentiation between the lady and the man takes their power away and dehumanizes them.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these images?

As a viewer, I like that image because this is old one and people from different country's took image with Indians. It shows the history and tradition as well in the first image because a boy wears old Indian clothes.

What ideologies are reinforced?

While viewing this image, i get idea that the Indian and Americans have good relationship it also shows how they remove the culture difference among people by wearing western clothes and clicking image with each other.

What are the questions?

In this image i don't understand that in the first image why second person not wear the western clothes and they both are from different nations then why they all called Indians?

What institutions inform how power is represented in your viewing of these pictures?

This image plays an important role because it shows how Native Americans and Indians have been portrayed in one photo also it shows reversing things in image which highlights the imbalance between them.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these images?

When looking at “An Indian from India” I cannot be a passive spectator. This image shows the power and identity as it can be perceived through stereotypes. The comparison of an Indigenous person and an Indian from India allows us to confront our own personal and cultural biases and the impact of colonialism in our world views.

What ideologies are reinforced?

The image of the Whiteman and Indian reinforces the colonial viewpoint with the settler in well dressed clothes beside an Indigenous person in traditional clothing. This is supposed to reinforce the idea of power imbalances and colonial power.  The Indigenous person even has their hands closed which is a closed off, reserved stance (and is often used to symbolize lack of power) while the whiteman has open stance and hands.

What ideologies are challenged?

In the second photo, Indian and Whiteman this idea of Western viewpoints of colonialism is flipped. The Indian is in the seat of power and is dressed in well off clothing. The whiteman is in the seat of limited power and is dressed shabbily compared to the whiteman.  The power dynamics have completely changed, and it looks at the words we use to label people and the history and weight those words have on how we place expectations on them. This image looks at geographies, identities, and power dynamics by taking what is expected and flipping it.

What institutions inform how power is represented (Foucault) in your viewing of these images?

Institutions play a large role in power dynamics and how it is presented according to Foucault. The main institutions that inform my viewing of the images are schools, museums, media, and the government. The government influences everything beneath it and through history, we can see the power dynamics in everything from images presented through media to the public, through school curriculum, to funding in museums for specific displays. Through media, I have seen articles that are skewed to present the worst of Indigenous and Indian people, and the best sides of them. In more recent times, I can see the use of media to increase the power and representation of those in minority (residential school searches for bodies) and how it remains a problem (for example the Farm Workers Strike in Indian was covered in non-mainstream media). My initial thoughts of the images were influenced by my understanding of history which was taught in school – we were taught nothing about residential schools and even reserves had a passing mention. Whereas looking through a more modern lens of my post-secondary teaching I have learned the truer history of colonialism and it’s impacts.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these images?

When looking at these images, it makes me think about how there are so many stereotypes put onto different races, and we see it a lot in Canada with the Indigenous communities. This visual shows how people visualize different people based on a bias notion they have from past experiences, past knowledge, etc.

What ideologies are reinforced or challenged?

In the first image, the ideologies are reinforced by showing the two individuals in the stereotypical attire that people tend to associate with their communities. By seeing this image on its own can reinforce this old bias that was created.

In the second image, the photographer challenges this ideology by putting the individuals in similar clothing to show that they are both people and should not be stereotyped and put into "boxes".

What institutions inform how power is represented in your viewing of these images?

I find that how these images are presented to us can influence our understanding of the images. If the image is presented in a certain way or to highlight one thing, we will agree with it. This holds a lot of power in how later generations look at history.

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Find the post, "An Indian from India" and consider the photographs -

How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these images? -

As a spectator i am positioned to critically engage with the image of an American Indigenous person and an Indian American person, both adorned in the American flag. This contrast draws attention to the nuanced relationship between nationality and identity.While the Indigenous person's relationship to the flag is rooted in a history of colonization and marginalization, demonstrating that their identity is sometimes disregarded or misinterpreted, the Indian American's ability to wear the flag symbolizes a certain acceptance within American society. This picture captures the ways in which Americans view individuals of color and other ethnic groups, exposing hidden prejudices and the nuanced aspects of American identity. Even though both people are Americans, their stories and the symbols they represent elicit different narratives about identity and cultural identification.

What ideologies are reinforced? -

The ideologies that are being reinforced by this image is that of:

National Identity:The image reinforces the idea that American identity is connected to the flag symbolism, suggesting that patriotism can be expressed through cultural symbols with varying implications for different groups.

Cultural Acceptance: The narrative suggests a hierarchy of acceptance, with Indian Americans generally more accepted within the mainstream narrative of American identity, while Indigenous identities are frequently marginalized.

Simplicity of Diversity: The image can promote the idea that diverse identities can be neatly categorized within the framework of American nationalism, glossing over the complexities of individual histories and experiences.

What ideologies are challenged? -

The ideologies being challenged is that of:

Homogeneity of American Identity: The image challenges the idea of a singular American identity, highlighting the diversity and complexity of experiences across different ethnicities in relation to patriotism symbols.

Representation of Indigenous Peoples: It questions the common narrative that overlooks Indigenous voices and experiences, pushing back against the tendency to conflate all non-white identities under a single narrative of diversity.

Patriotism and Belonging: The contrasting implications of the flag for each individual challenge the assumption that wearing the flag is an unequivocal expression of patriotism, revealing deeper layers of cultural significance and historical context.

What institutions inform how power is represented (Foucault) in your viewing of these images?

The institutions that inform how power is represented is that of:

Media: The media plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions of identity and power dynamics. How images are framed and presented can reinforce or challenge stereotypes about race and ethnicity, influencing societal narratives about who belongs in America.

Education: Educational institutions shape our understanding of history and cultural narratives. The representation of Indigenous and immigrant histories in curricula affects how individuals interpret the identities depicted in the images, either reinforcing dominant narratives or encouraging critical engagement.

Government and Policy: Government policies regarding citizenship, immigration, and Indigenous rights influence how different groups are perceived and represented. These policies can dictate who is considered part of the national narrative, affecting the visibility and voice of marginalized communities.

Cultural Institutions: Museums, galleries, and cultural organizations shape the narratives around identity and heritage. Their choices in representation can either amplify marginalized voices or perpetuate dominant cultural norms, impacting how individuals relate to their own identities and those of others.

Consumer Culture: The commercialization of identity through fashion and branding can influence public perceptions of American identity, reinforcing power dynamics and challenging others.

These institutions collectively inform how power is represented in the images, shaping the viewer's understanding of identity, belonging, and the complexities of race in America.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these images?

As a spectator of An Indian from India, the juxtaposition of the two images causes me to reflect upon the importance of identity, ethnicity, and power. The recreation of the original image, to me, appears as a reclamation of the aforementioned topics: identity, ethnicity, and power. Captioning the images Whiteman and Indian and Indian and Whiteman challenges the concept of reducing someone to the color of their skin.

What ideologies are reinforced?

Through these images, both cultural and political ideologies are reinforced. Specifically, it shows the loss of culture through assimilation. Cultural identity plays a significant role in today’s society, and the “reversal” of the original image shows the importance of it. Ethnic ideologies are also reinforced as the side-by-side images show that power does not come from the color of your skin.

What ideologies are challenged?

The Western ideology is challenged through the photo captioned Indian and Whiteman as it changes the balance of power in the photo captioned Whiteman and Indian. In the post-colonial theory, it talks about having a lack of agency or voice. The second image speaks volumes without any words despite its caption.

What institutions inform how power is represented (Foucault) in your viewing of these images?

Institutions such as the government, museums, and colonists themselves inform how power is represented in the viewing of these images. The government can choose what images are distributed among the public, and what are not. Simply, the fact that they have the power to decide what we do or do not see is part of the context behind every image. As for museums, it is likely you would find the original image in a history textbook or a colonial museum. Why is it that the first image can be displayed without the presence of the second? Choosing which images to display/include and which to not is another way that power is shown through the viewing of these images. Finally, the original image depicts the colonizer and the colonized. The choice to have that image taken is a representation of power and surveillance. It was an effort made to make anyone seen as “other” feel like they were “other.”

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How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these images?

As a viewer, the image 'an Indian from India' by Annu palakunnnathu Matthew depicts the social identity of people from different cultures and religions. This pictures shows the value of race, clothing and physical features which allows another person to identify. It helps me to think more critically about cultures and communities. The photography helps to bring new thoughts and ideas about the changes that took place over the years.

What ideologies are reinforced?

The image highlights that even though both of them belong to India but they both have completely different facial features and clothing. In the second image, it is clear that Indian is wearing clothes that are a lot similar to a Whiteman. Even both the whitemen are wearing completely opposite clothes while belonging to one communit. This shows how everything is evolving with time. The culture, cuisine, clothing and even physical features are changing because of colonialism.

What ideologies are challenged?

The image provokes topics related to social status and social hierarchies. It shows the impact of globalization on people from India . The image allows depicts the modernization of Indians from their traditional lifestyle to a much more modernised one. It gives the idea that cultures and traditions are flexible.

What institutions inform how power is represented (Foucault) in your viewing of these images?

When analyzing the image through Foucauldian lens, various institutions help to shape.

Government - Repersentives of state and laws can help to make the voice of communities louder and clear within India.

Academic - Educational institutions can help to teach the value of social identity and understanding of culture.

Media- Social media plays a crucial role in influencing people around the world. It can influence people by using various ways like photography, vlogs, art and dances.

Religious places- These places play key role in shaping an individual and teaching people about social identity and cultural history

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https://scroll.in/article/736115/are-you-indian-or-are-you-indian-a-photographer-transforms-colonial-images-of-native-americans

The photographs of the “Kutenai Female Type” and the “Malayalee Female Type” it is quite clear that there is a lot of relationship between identity and representation. Culturally encoded as a spectator, it is through cultural signification systems that you view Indigenous and South Asian representations.

Reinforced Ideologies

Cultural Authenticity: Both are stereotypical and depict a certain culture people are dressed in national costumes, and they have conventional facial features.

Challenged Ideologies

Monolithic Identity: They dispute the construction of such identities as monolithic, thereby promoting the cause of Indigenous and South Asian people.

Power Representation

Colonial Institutions: The discursive formation originates from an colonial discourse and the technologically has been employed to police representations of dominated people.

In general, such consequently re-contextualized images encourage interdisciplinary contemplation of the role played by visual culture in forming social representations of identity.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these images?

The pictures challenge my assumptions about white settlers and Native Americans head-on and make me consider how race and power are portrayed in both historical and contemporary media. The two images' mirroring compels me to alternate between the past and the present, making me wonder if there have actually been changes in perception and power or if these roles are just being played out again. The juxtaposition implies that deeper systems of inequality and representation still exist, even if the surface may have altered.
I'm drawn into a historical perspective by the aesthetic, which is reminiscent of 19th-century tintypes. It reminds me of the early Indigenous peoples' photos, which were frequently taken under imperial surveillance. This makes me uncomfortable as a spectator because it makes me aware of the ways in which racial hierarchies have been created and maintained via the use of visual documentation, but it also puts me in the role of a critic who needs to challenge these persistent historical inequalities.

What ideologies are reinforced?

The binary opposition between white and Indigenous identities is reinforced by the contrast between "Indian and Whiteman" and "Whiteman and Indian," placing them in separate, antagonistic categories with historical origins in colonial logic. The second image plays with these dichotomies, but it doesn't completely dissolve them; rather, it inverts the visual dynamic and strengthens the notion that a person's race determines how they are viewed.
What ideologies are challenged?

The usual power dynamic is reversed in the second painting, "Indian and Whiteman," where the white man is shown less formally and with a position of authority while the Indigenous lady is dressed modernly. This casts doubt on the idea that Indigenous identity must be limited to stereotypes or the past. It challenges me to think about how Indigenous people's empowerment and modern relevance reverse the narrative of colonial subjugation.
What institutions inform how power is represented (Foucault) in my viewing of these images?

The media and cultural institutions of today reinterpret these pictures in order to contest or dismantle colonial myths. One may see the second image as a criticism of those earlier visual systems of power because of the roles that are reversed. But since they are a part of the cultural framework that I am required to observe and interpret these pictures through, these institutions remain entangled in the ways that racism and power are portrayed and consumed. The second image's inversion implies that power is still exercised and transmitted via organisations that influence how history and identity are seen.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relation to these images?

I am positioned to reflect on how I see different identities through a historical and colonial lens in An Indian from India. The comparison between images of Native Americans and Indian people from India encourages me to think critically about how external forces shaped the way these groups were represented. As a spectator, I am asked to question the assumptions I may have about identity culture and how power has influenced those perceptions over time. The work made me consider how deeply these stereotypes are embedded in the way I view these cultures.

What ideologies are reinforced?

The image of An Indian from India reinforces the idea that colonial powers played a significant role in controlling how people were categorized and viewed. The label “Indian” came from a mistake made by Christopher Columbus, but it became a tool used by colonial rulers to generalize and dominate diverse groups of people. The images remind me of how both Native Americans and Indians from India were reduced to “primitive natives” and that this view was imposed by Western powers, mainly through photography. This shows how colonialism has left a lasting impact on how identity is constructed and maintained.

What ideologies are challenged?

At the same time, this image of An Indian from India challenges the idea that these two groups can be classified together under a single label. By placing the images side by side, Matthew makes me realize how different these cultures are despite how they were historically grouped. It makes me think critically about the simplicity of such labels and how wrong it is to assume that one term can define multiple distinct cultures. The idea that identity is static and easily categorized is challenged as I am shown how deeply nuanced and diverse these groups really are.

What institutions inform how power is represented (Foucault) in your viewing of these images?

When thinking about Foucault’s ideas on power, the institution of colonialism comes to mind. Colonialism shaped how these groups were labeled and viewed by the Western world. The power to define, categorize, and document people through photography was also a significant force. In this context, photography was not just a neutral form of documentation; it was also a way for colonial powers to maintain control and shape public understanding of these groups. Museums and educational institutions also played a role by reinforcing these images and narratives, making the knowledge produced by these institutions another form of power.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these Images?

As a spectator for the images presented, I am made to reflect on cultural identity, and more specifically the tendency to view white people and American culture as the "baseline", making all other ethnicities, culture's, orientations, and identities something that is not the "norm." Referring to both indigenous people and people from India as Indians showcases lack of care for understanding and respecting culture's different from ones own.

What ideologies are reinforced?

While taking into account the title of the photograph's, the ignorant Ideology of the white race being the default and all other races considered others of that is reinforced. It also reinforces, and criticizes, the fact that colonizers are too concerned with their own identity and their status of wealth and power (as identified by their clothing in the left photo) to properly understand and learn about all of the culture's around them.

What ideologies are challenged?

The position of the "whiteman" being switched from the left photo to the right, confronts the "whiteman" with their past of colonization, and misidentification of people's race and identity. It can also be viewed as the Indian from India reclaiming their identity and highlighting the power that other cultures and identities have, despite being consistently made to think otherwise. From that perspective it can be quite uplifting.

What Institutions inform how power is represented (Foucault) in your viewing of these images?

Government policies, especially looking back through history, play a key role in formulating preconceived ideas about identity in a social context. This works in tandem with the education system because when people are young, they are very impressionable, and a lot of social beliefs and ideologies are learned behaviours. In regards to these photographs, I am reminded not only of the classism present in western culture, but also the more hopeful idea that marginalized groups are able to break out of the boxes that they are put in.

I think for me, the most influential institution is media. Film, music, literature, and in more modern times, the online world, are all very powerful because of their outreach. Reflecting on this discussion reminded me of a novel I read in highschool - NW by Zadie Smith. The author only mentions the race of a character if they are white because in most other books, people who are any other race besides white are the ones being singled out. This book switches the "default race," which is a fantastic way to help readers reflect on how often this occurs in literature, film, and, as we see from this post, photography.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these images?

When I look at "An Indian from India" by Annu Palakunnathu Matthew, it makes me think about what I know about race and history. The photos encouraged me to question how I’ve learned about identity and how colonialism has shaped that understanding.

What ideologies are reinforced?

The images show that colonialism has left its impact on the representation of Native Americans and South Asians even today. Each was frequently either misrepresented or excluded by the colonial powers of the West.

What ideologies are challenged?

The image denies Western reductionism and stereotyping of the non-Western Others. If one pair of photos replaces a Native American with a South Asian person, these photos make me realize that these categories are something that can be created by the cultures and people in the dominant position.

What institutions inform how power is represented (Foucault) in your viewing of these images?

Schools, museums and history books have determined how people perceive other cultures. These images depict the association between power and knowledge that regulates how people and things are perceived and categorized.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relationship to these images?

When these images are presented to me, the way each individual poses for the photograph indicates to me that they’re not comfortable with each other, and are rather forced to take this picture. The body language is exactly the same in both images, purposefully, as well as the clothing being similar for the white man in the first picture compared to the Indian woman in the second picture. I believe the reason this picture was taken had to do with the obvious confusion of culture that occurs when labelling two separate ethnicities the same name.

What ideologies are reinforced?

The reinforced ideologies can include a hint at colonialism with the representation of clothing; the Indian woman in the second picture is wearing almost identical clothes to the white man in the first picture. I believe this reinforces the colonialism ideology because it shows the Indian woman in clothes that do not represent her culture, while the Indigenous man is wearing cultural clothing that actually differentiates himself from the other individuals in these photographs. The Indian woman is differentiated from the Indigenous man as that’s where confusion of culture had arisen, but the Indian woman is not represented properly as she is just wearing the white man’s outfit.

What ideologies are challenged?

There can be a challenge to the concept of modernity as the Indian woman is not classified by a “type”, rather she is wearing similar clothes to the white man in the first picture. A classification of a type would be the shade of the Indian woman’s skin colour, but since this photo is not in colour it can be easily misinterpreted.

What institutions inform how power is represented in your viewing of these images?

The system of classification is displayed as the Indian and Indigenous were classified to the same type, and this was specific for this period of time. This is proof of a difference of race being historically produced through media.

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How are you configured as a spectator in relation to these images?

As a spectator to these images, I observe the stark contrast between the white man and the "other"- created and facilitated by the ones in power, and the ignorance by white man when it comes to "other"- shown by the blatant negligence to bother to give suitable identity to different ethnic groups, instead casting them under the same shadow.

What ideologies are reinforced?

These pictures reinforce the racial ideologies of the ones on the advantageous side of the power dynamic, carefully suited to their convenience, without any consideration for providing proper identity to the oppressed groups at the time. The label "Indian", rather than being used to provide identity, served as a general term to refer to both the oppressed groups, which were under the white man's "influence", at the time. This, instead of giving them their individuality, dehumanizes them as a whole.