Ophoging voor de brug bij de Ajer Monnes 1903 - 1913

This photograph shows workers constructing an embankment for a bridge in what was then the Dutch East Indies. Though the photographer is unknown, the image speaks volumes about the processes and social context involved. The primary material here is earth itself, moved and shaped through intensive manual labor. You can see the workers standing in the foreground, their presence underscoring the sheer effort required. The earth is built up in layers, compacted by hand, a process that imprints the landscape with the marks of human activity. This wasn't just about building a bridge; it was about asserting control over the environment, facilitating trade and resource extraction. The photograph is therefore a document of both engineering and empire, capturing a moment in the ongoing transformation of the landscape through labor and technology. It reminds us that materials, making, and context are vital to understanding the full meaning of any artwork.