Oliefabriek Jurgens Makassar / Gegoten ijzeren vliegwiel, diameter 5.5 Meter, gewicht 12000 Kg., in bewerking 1916 - 1924

This photograph presents the Jurgens oil factory in Makassar, showcasing a massive cast iron flywheel. The composition, dominated by grayscale tones, highlights the factory's interior with the looming presence of the wheel. The lines of the industrial architecture converge, drawing the eye to the wheel's imposing circular form. This geometric contrast—the rigid, linear structure against the curve—creates a visual tension, a dialogue between the stability of industry and the dynamic potential of mechanized movement. The figures scattered around the base, draped in white, give scale to the sheer size of the wheel. This photograph uses a semiotic system to present the factory and its flywheel as more than just a structure but as signifiers of industrial advancement and power. This representation reflects early industrial photography that challenged fixed notions of progress, space, and representation. The interplay between form and function in the flywheel encapsulates the philosophical discourse of the era. The photograph challenges the viewer to consider the dynamic relationship between humanity, technology, and the evolving industrial landscape.