I have this hanging in my apartment. It’s nice to have a bit of DC here in NY.
While visiting DC, I went to see Power|Play: China’s Empress Dowager, an exhibit at the Smithsonian’s Sackler Gallery (one of my favorite places in the city). The exhibit is comprised of several photographs taken during the reign of Empress Dowager Cixi, which provide a much more comprehensive look at her life than most understandings of her place in history. The gallery’s description of the exhibition illustrates how these photographs illustrate the complexity of Cixi’s leadership:
From the 1860s until her death, the Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908) was the dominant political figure of China’s Qing dynasty (1644–1911), acting as regent to two successive emperors. During her reign, the Qing court came to be regarded as conservative, corrupt, and incompetent. The situation worsened after the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, when Cixi was accused of encouraging the killing of foreigners and Chinese Christians. Her reputation plummeted in China and worldwide.
In response, the Qing court initiated measures to improve the Empress Dowager’s image. Along with inviting foreign visitors to receptions at the palace, these efforts included arranging for a series of photographic portraits of Cixi, some of which were presented as diplomatic gifts. Taken by a young photographer named Xunling (ca. 1880–1943) between 1903 and 1904, the series comprises the only surviving photographs of the Empress Dowager. The Freer|Sackler Archives contains thirty-six of Xunling’s original glass-plate negatives, which form the basis of this exhibition.
Though dismissed as emblems of Cixi’s vanity and the Qing dynasty’s extravagance, the photographs became an enduring symbol of the dying reign and helped form the “dragon lady” persona seen in films throughout the twentieth century. But closer examination of the photographs reveals many of them were crafted as part of a strategic diplomatic and public relations campaign. Analysis of carefully placed symbols found within these images has provided new insight into the Qing court culture, as well as the Empress Dowager’s public and private life.
Since visual representations of Cixi produced stereotypes concerning Asian women that still persevere, this exhibit is extremely important in revealing the historical processes behind the development of this imagery. The exhibit is open until January 29th, and if you are in the DC area, I strongly recommend you visit it!
I was in DC for the 4th of July weekend and I had a chance to eat at Graffiato, the new restaurant from Top Chef’s Mike Isabella. The restaurant definitely lives up to all the hype. the menu is made up of small plates, which makes it great for groups. The pizzas ranged from the standard to the innovative. We got the “Jersey Shore” (I mean, with that name, how could we not?), which had calamari and red pepper aioli, and it tasted amazing. We also ordered chicken thighs, which were covered in the pepperoni sauce that Gail went crazy over in the Top Chef: All Stars finale. That sauce lived up to Gail’s word and then some. I wouldn’t mind having it on everything I ate. The cocktails are also fantastic; I especially recommend the “Saged and Confused,” which is made with gin, cucumber liqueur, and lime juice.
The only potential complaint I have is that the risotto tasted like thayir sadam, but I wasn’t sure if that was a bad thing or not.
If you’re in DC, definitely check this place out! I have a feeling that it’s going to be a key part of the city’s food scene.
