Drukkerij van de Deli Courant te Medan 1898 - 1899

This photograph shows the Deli Courant printing house in Medan, Indonesia, and was made using photographic processes that were cutting-edge for their time. Photography itself is a profoundly material practice. It relies on the interplay of light, chemical reactions on coated paper or glass, and the precision of mechanical reproduction. Here, the very act of capturing this image reflects technological advancements that were rapidly transforming communication and industry. The image's focus on the printing house highlights a crucial link between media and the colonial context of Medan at the time. The production and distribution of newspapers like the Deli Courant served colonial interests, disseminating information and shaping public opinion. The image also hints at the labor involved in this process, from the workers operating the printing presses to the delivery systems that distributed the news. By considering photography as a material process and the printing house as a site of colonial influence, we gain a deeper understanding of the complex social and political forces at play in this historical moment.