Station Tjomal 1890 - 1910

Otto Hisgen captured "Station Tjomal" in a photograph of an unknown date, sized 230 by 170 mm. During Hisgen’s time, photography served as a potent tool for colonial documentation. It visually reinforced power dynamics and shaped perceptions of colonized lands like those in Southeast Asia. "Station Tjomal" depicts a railway station, symbolizing connectivity and progress. Yet, it also represents the infrastructure that facilitated colonial exploitation and control. The presence of local people as shadowy figures on the platform can evoke questions about their roles within this colonial landscape. Were they passengers, workers, or simply bystanders? Their stories remain untold. The image captures a moment of transition and intersection, where technology meets human lives under the umbrella of colonial power. It leaves us pondering the complex legacy of progress and its impact on the identities and histories of those it touched.