Semarang. Nieuwe Semarang c. 1900

Otto Hisgen made this photograph, Semarang. Nieuwe Semarang, with traditional photography techniques. The final image is a small rectangular print that shows a settlement of houses, viewed from a low angle. The sepia tone of the photograph imbues the scene with a sense of history and distance, making the landscape and buildings appear aged. The photograph captures the social stratification of colonial society through the built environment, where we see a stark contrast between the grand villas atop the hill and the modest, closely packed dwellings below, reflecting disparities in wealth and power. The method of production here--photography--is itself deeply embedded in social and political context, used for documentation and control. Paying close attention to the materials, processes, and context enables a richer reading of the image. It challenges us to think about the relationship between art, craft, labor, and social inequality.