Triple Crutcher Possibly 1934 - 1937

This photograph, titled 'Triple Crutcher,' captures a piece of machinery in Braat Soerabaia. The identity of the photographer remains unknown, leaving us to consider the image through the lens of its subject matter: the industrial apparatus itself. The photograph shows a large machine in what appears to be a factory setting. This factory was located in Soerabaia, now known as Surabaya, a port city in Indonesia. The machinery stands as a stark reminder of the colonial histories that shaped the region. The crutcher likely played a role in processing local resources, raw materials which were then shipped elsewhere. The anonymity of the photographer and the focus on industrial equipment invites us to reflect on the human element within this landscape, and the individuals whose labor powered these machines. This image serves as a powerful reminder of the complex layers of history, labor, and identity woven into the colonial landscape.