Bouw van de villa voltooid 1914 - 1919

This photograph captures a villa, likely constructed in the early 20th century, using both industrial materials, like glass, and locally sourced materials. Notice the white, plastered walls and the dark wooden window frames, indicative of a colonial aesthetic seeking to import European styles. What's really striking is the contrast with the thatched roofing. This would have been a labor-intensive process, involving the harvesting and weaving of local plant fibers. The textures and tones create a compelling tension between imported ideals and local realities. The amount of work involved in constructing the villa is implicit in the image itself. Colonialism was fundamentally a project of extraction, and the villa stands as a testament to that history, built on the resources of both industrial production and local labor. By understanding the social context of its creation, we can recognize the complex meanings embedded within this architectural form, challenging any simple distinction between fine art and craft.