S.O. Goenoengsari. Koeltroggen. 5-4-1927. 1927

This photograph titled 'S.O. Goenoengsari. Koeltroggen' was made on the 5th of April, 1927, by an anonymous artist with a camera. The grayscale creates a flattening effect, emphasizing the image's linear qualities and the play of light and shadow. I’m interested in the contrast of light and dark and how it adds depth to the photograph. The network of beams and supports are a complex and industrial sight. The texture, or lack thereof, is a key component. The smooth photographic paper hides the grit and grime of the industrial setting. It’s hard to imagine the artist’s process in terms of what kind of darkroom tools were used, but I’m wondering what the artist was trying to convey. Was this artist interested in the documentation of industrial settings or something else? There is a similar interest in industrial spaces in the work of Charles Sheeler, especially his photographs of the Ford River Rouge Plant. Perhaps this piece can be viewed as part of a wider movement of artists who were reflecting on the rise of industry and technology.