Vissers staand in ondiep water in Nederlands-Indië c. 1920 - 1930

Editor: This photograph, "Vissers staand in ondiep water in Nederlands-Indië," or "Fishermen standing in shallow water in the Dutch East Indies," was captured by Klaas Kleiterp, likely sometime between 1920 and 1930, using the gelatin silver process. The figures standing in the water seem so vulnerable against the backdrop of the landscape, but I wonder what this scene says about the relationship between the colonizer and the colonized. What is your take on this? Curator: This photograph offers a lens into the complicated relationship between the Netherlands and what is now Indonesia during the colonial era. These types of images were often used to portray a romanticized, even exoticized, vision of life in the Dutch East Indies to audiences back home. What role did photography play in constructing this view of "the other"? Editor: That's a great point! I guess the camera's gaze wasn't necessarily objective, it may have been involved in the exoticisation of other culture through image production. It makes you question what the photographer’s intentions may have been. What exactly were they trying to convey with these images of people fishing? Curator: Precisely. We must consider how images like this functioned within the broader context of Dutch colonial power. They could be seen as ethnographic documents, but also as instruments of control, shaping perceptions and justifying colonial policies. These scenes might look natural, but how authentic are they when considered as promotional material of a dominating country? What happens when you center on people as just elements in an exotic scenery? Editor: That is really fascinating, seeing this less as a pure landscape and more as a commentary on power. Thank you for offering this new understanding on colonial imagery! Curator: It highlights the importance of considering the power dynamics embedded within seemingly simple depictions of everyday life. I leave considering this same question when appreciating any other type of artwork as well!