Theefabriek Kertamanah gebouwd door Machinefabriek Braat Soerabaia 1934 1934

This anonymous photograph captures the Theefabriek Kertamanah, a tea factory constructed in 1934 by Machinefabriek Braat Soerabaia. The scaffolding dominates our view, reaching upwards like the Tower of Babel. Such structures resonate with the human ambition to reach the divine. From the pyramids of Giza to the soaring cathedrals of Europe, we see this recurring motif of vertical aspiration. The factory, in this context, transcends its practical function, becoming a symbol of industrial progress and perhaps even colonial ambition, given its location and time. Consider the psychological impact of such a structure: the imposing scale dwarfs the individual, evoking a sense of awe and perhaps even anxiety. This duality—the promise of progress versus the potential for dehumanization—is a tension inherent in the modern industrial landscape. The factory, like the tower, represents a collective endeavor, driven by a desire to transcend limitations and shape the world. It's a dream perpetually under construction.