S.O. Goenoengsari. Pompenkamer. begin Aug: 1927. 1927 - 1928

This photograph, taken anonymously in August 1927, depicts the 'Pompenkamer' or pump room of S.O. Goenoengsari. The machinery fills the space and dominates our view, the massive wheels of the pumps become prominent symbols of this industrial space. The wheel, a symbol of cyclical movement and eternal return, echoes motifs found across cultures. Consider the Buddhist Dharma wheel, representing the cycle of rebirth, or the ancient Greek concept of Fortuna’s wheel, dictating the rise and fall of human fortunes. In this image, the wheel transcends its mechanical function, becoming a potent emblem of progress and technology. Yet, it also whispers of the relentless, cyclical nature of industrial labor. The wheel's ceaseless turning resonates with the anxieties of modernity, reflecting a world caught in perpetual motion. This photograph thus becomes a mirror, reflecting our collective fascination and unease with the relentless march of progress.