Fotoalbum over de tinwinning op Bangka c. 1900 - 1920

This photo album about tin mining in Bangka, made by an anonymous artist, presents a somber exterior with its dark cover and simple embellishments. The parallel lines, reminiscent of boundaries or divisions, evoke a sense of order and containment. Consider how lines also appear in other contexts, perhaps as borders on ancient maps, or as divisions in classical friezes, marking territories and defining spaces. In early cartography, the act of drawing a line to claim land was potent. Similarly, the lines here might represent the demarcation of mining concessions, suggesting power dynamics and territorial claims. These lines, seemingly simple, are imbued with the weight of ownership and the psychological impact of division. The image may invite a profound emotional response, stirring questions about exploitation, power, and the indelible marks left on both the land and its people. Symbols may evolve, but the themes of control and consequence remain palpable.