Coronie 1903 - 1910

Editor: So this is "Coronie," a photograph by Hendrik Doijer, taken sometime between 1903 and 1910. It’s a street scene dominated by these incredible, leaning palm trees. There's almost a wistful quality to the light and composition. What can you tell me about this photograph? Curator: This image, while seemingly a straightforward depiction of a street in Coronie, Suriname, speaks volumes about colonialism and representation. Consider the framing: the lush, tropical landscape almost overwhelms the figures in the scene, perhaps reflecting the colonizers' view of the indigenous population and landscape as something to be tamed or possessed. Who has the power in the photograph, would you say? Editor: I see what you mean. The people seem secondary to the trees. Curator: Exactly. And we have to think about Doijer himself – a photographer capturing a specific narrative about this place and its people for a particular audience, likely in the Netherlands. It’s easy to romanticize such scenes, but what are we missing if we don't question the power dynamics at play here? How might an Indigenous photographer have framed this scene differently? Editor: That's a powerful point. I was initially drawn to the aesthetic beauty, but now I see the potential for a much more complex interpretation. Curator: Art often serves as a mirror to society, reflecting both its beauty and its inequalities. By engaging with these visual records critically, we can challenge the historical narratives and better understand the legacies of colonialism. Editor: Thanks, I am glad to leave the audience thinking of it from different perspectives.