Suikermolens en werknemers in een hal van suikerfabriek Goedo te Djombang op Java c. 1925 - 1930

This photograph captures a bustling sugar factory hall in Goedo, Djombang, Java, and it's not just a record, it's an atmosphere. The sepia tones soften the industrial scene. I get the sense that the photograph has been treated as a painting in some way, with the use of tone to create a sense of texture. The eye bounces across the image following the machinery and human activity. The composition is fascinating. The high, exposed roof contrasted with the floor space provides an airy quality that might otherwise be absent from the space. The arrangement of the machinery gives depth while the human figures scattered throughout create points of interest. Like a de Chirico painting, there’s a striking combination of openness, clarity and mystery. It reminds me a little of Bernd and Hilla Becher’s photographs of industrial buildings – but with a softer, more human touch. It invites reflection on the relationship between industry, labour, and the spaces we inhabit.