Shaping the Imperialist Imagination
Stereographs from the Museum Collection
California Museum of Photography
October 11, 2025 to February 28, 2027
Step into the fascinating world of early stereographic technology and discover how these immersive images—the television of their era—shaped American attitudes toward other cultures. Shaping the Imperialist Imagination examines how these popular 3D photographs allowed Americans to “travel” globally without leaving their homes, while subtly reinforcing notions of cultural hierarchy and imperial superiority.
UCR undergraduates have curated this exhibition as part of their capstone seminar in the History of Art. Drawing on the CMP’s extensive collection, the exhibition reveals how this popular parlor entertainment created visual narratives about American territories, Native Americans, and European colonies that reinforced Western paradigms of cultural dominance. Each carefully selected stereographic view tells a story about how “armchair travel” helped codify American identity through constructed images of otherness—visual attitudes that continue to influence our perceptions today.
Shaping the Imperialist Imagination is guest curated by Michael Aguirre, JD Arce, Martina Carson, River Foronda, Chloe Kim, Mariah Leon, Alina Yang, Dezeray Marmolejo, Sandra Martus, Franco Mayea, Lindsay Mero, Tran Ly Nguyen, and Olivia Vigil under the direction of Susan Laxton, Associate Professor, Department of the History of Art. Alyse Yeargan, Collections Manager, is coordinating curator. Exhibitions at UCR ARTS are supported by the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, and by the City of Riverside.
Unknown Photographer, Underwood & Underwood Co. A Cuban Family, Havana, Cuba not dated Gelatin Silver Print, Keystone-Mast Collection at UCR ARTS 1996.0009.X6514
