Luchthaven Tjililitan bij Batavia, gezien vanuit de lucht c. 1930 - 1940

This aerial photograph depicts Tjililitan Airport near Batavia, captured by an anonymous photographer. The open field in this image, neatly divided into various lots, is reminiscent of the medieval 'commons,' land shared by all. Here, it's an early modern form, the airport, collectively 'owned' by the pilots, passengers, and staff. The airplane, a symbol of technological progress and global connection, embodies the aspirations and fears of a rapidly changing world. However, this image also evokes the ancient myth of Icarus, whose desire to transcend human limitations led to his downfall. Here, too, the dream of flight is fraught with potential hubris. The image becomes a potent reminder that progress is not linear but cyclical, and that old myths often resurface in new forms.