Machines in de drukkerij 1921

T. Kaneo made this photograph, Machines in de drukkerij, at an unknown date, capturing the monochromatic world of a printing factory with two men present. The grayscale palette emphasizes the stark, metallic essence of the machinery; the photograph gives the impression of having been made in the past. The dense network of levers, wheels, and belts makes you think about the sheer labor involved in bringing words to life on paper. The photo has the look of a blueprint, perhaps, or an instructional manual. Notice the ghostly figures in the background. Kaneo seems to have created an intentional blur by using a long exposure, contrasting the figures’ dynamism with the machines’ static permanence. The rhythmic, industrial aesthetic of the German photographer, August Sander, comes to mind, particularly his images of workers and industrial landscapes. Both artists share an interest in documenting the human condition within the context of labor and industry. Ultimately, this work is about the many interactions between people and machines, a blurry, ghosted dance between the two.