Voorgevel c. 1902

Editor: This photograph, titled "Voorgevel," taken around 1902 by Tan Tjie Lan, is an albumen print. It gives off a rather quiet, almost eerie vibe because of the stillness and subdued tones. What jumps out at you? Curator: What interests me here is the labor implied but unseen. The albumen print process itself is quite involved, demanding a certain expertise. Someone had to coat the paper, expose it, and develop it. How does the image-making process speak to you in relation to the architectural labor represented? Editor: That's a good point! I hadn’t thought about the print itself as a product of labor. I suppose someone designed and constructed that building, too. Were those processes related in any specific ways during this time? Curator: Absolutely. Photography, especially at the turn of the century, was intrinsically linked to documenting and sometimes glorifying industrial or colonial endeavors. This building, likely tied to colonial administration, wouldn't have been possible without extensive extraction of local resources. What elements do you recognize in this photo suggesting extraction, production, or consumption of local resources? Editor: Well, the architecture seems...stark. And the light almost flattens the textures, which diminishes depth. Also, the choice of the landscape style might speak to something? The controlled landscape versus what may lay beyond, unkept... Curator: Precisely. This image isn’t just a passive recording. It’s actively shaping how we understand the relationship between the colonial structure, the labor that sustained it, and even the "orientalist" aesthetics applied to justify its existence. And we may have overlooked this by considering solely its aesthetic appeal. What new perspective did this understanding offer you? Editor: I see how a seemingly straightforward image is a record of a complex, interconnected process. Now, I can appreciate the albumen print for the layers of labor involved. Thanks!