Four-armed Shiva decorating the entrance way to the residedncy of the assistent-resident of Wonosobo (provenance Dieng Plateau) Wonosobo, Wonosobo district, Central Java province, 10the century. 1864

Editor: This is a photograph from 1864 by Isidore Kinsbergen, depicting a tenth-century sculpture of a four-armed Shiva. It's from the Dieng Plateau in Central Java. What strikes me is how serene the figure seems, even though it’s a fragmented ruin. What do you make of it? Curator: This image invites us to consider the politics of representation and preservation, doesn’t it? A photograph of a sculpture removed from its original context, presented to a Western audience in the colonial era. How does this displacement impact our understanding of Shiva and Javanese culture? Editor: I hadn't thought about it like that. So, you're saying the photograph itself is part of the story, not just a neutral record? Curator: Precisely! Kinsbergen, a Dutch photographer working in the Dutch East Indies, was creating a visual archive shaped by colonial interests. This Shiva, likely venerated locally, becomes an object of study, categorized and displayed for Western consumption. Consider also the pose of Shiva – the meditative lotus position. Is this serenity or power? And how are those concepts themselves shaped by colonial narratives? Editor: It’s almost as if the act of photographing, collecting, and labeling changes the meaning. It's no longer just a religious icon; it's evidence of a conquered culture. Curator: Exactly. And the fragmentation adds another layer. The brokenness might symbolize loss, but it can also stand as a reminder of resilience. Did the photographer intend this effect? Or is our reading of the damage a commentary on a shared cultural vulnerability? Editor: Wow, it's a lot more complex than I initially thought. I’m beginning to understand how images from this time aren't simply neutral records but active participants in the power dynamics of the colonial era. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. Remembering that history and the ways it shaped the image we see transforms the viewing experience entirely, wouldn’t you agree?