The emergence of the snow globe is often associated with the late 19th century, a period noted for its particular innovations in Western visual culture. One of the first snow globes, prominently linked to the broader context of visual representation, was showcased at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1889. This World’s Fair highlighted various technological and artistic advancements, reflecting both the achievements of Western hegemony and the commodification of their colonies’ cultures.
The visual displays depicting the lives of colonised people were arranged with great accuracy. The scenes were presented to the viewers at fixed times in allotted spaces separated by barriers such as interposing fences and glass partitions. The snow globe, as a visual instrument, reflected imperialism’s scientific authority, with organisers aiming to make the world appear measurable and knowable. The rule of sight with specific gaze lies at the core of the problem of modernity.