Plaquette van de legging van de eerste steen voor de villa in Simpangampat 1916

This photograph documents the laying of the foundation stone for a villa in Simpangampat. We don't know exactly when it was made or who the artist was, but the image itself speaks volumes about the world of its making. The plaque at the center, likely made of cast metal, commemorates this event. The materials are industrial, and the text is a declaration of power. It's framed by freshly cut foliage, and a sketched depiction of the villa planned. This blend of raw nature and planned architecture tells us something of the villa's context - of labor and class. The colonial setting is present in the choice of materials, the construction of the villa, and in the very act of commemorating its foundation. This image allows us to think about how the processes involved, from mining the metal to building the villa, are tied to social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Considering how these things come together helps us to challenge the idea that fine art is somehow separate from craft and design.