Achterterrein c. 1902

Tan Tjie Lan made this photograph, Achterterrein, using traditional photographic processes. The print itself is a physical object, a combination of paper and light-sensitive chemicals, carefully exposed and developed in a darkroom. The image shows a building with tile roof and a large open structure next to it, perhaps an outdoor shelter or workspace. The materials—wood, tile, and what appears to be corrugated metal for the roofing—suggest a blend of local craftsmanship and industrial supply. The setting seems to be a colonial plantation in Indonesia, a site where labor, resource extraction, and architecture intersected to serve economic interests. Consider the labor involved in the production of these materials: the mining of metals, the harvesting of wood, and the firing of tiles. And then think of the labor required to build the structure, and finally, to maintain the grounds around it. This image prompts us to think about the relationship between materials, labor, and the broader social context in which they exist. It is a reminder that even seemingly simple photographs can reveal complex histories of production.