Frontaal aanzicht van een Long Cecil-kanon in Kimberley 1901

This stereoscopic image captures a frontal view of the Long Cecil canon in Kimberley. Although the artist is unknown, the image offers insight into the complexities of the Second Boer War at the turn of the century. The Long Cecil was built in response to the siege of Kimberley and named for Cecil Rhodes, a central figure in the expansion of British imperial power in South Africa. The construction of Long Cecil reflects the racial and colonial tensions of the time, especially considering that Rhodes' policies dispossessed indigenous populations of their land and rights. What does it mean to celebrate ingenuity born of conflict and oppression? This image asks us to reflect on how technological advancement intersects with power, who benefits, and at what cost. It challenges us to consider the narratives we construct around innovation and progress, urging us to examine the social and ethical implications embedded within them.