Steengroeve van een diamantmijn te Kimberley 1896

This photograph of a diamond mine in Kimberley presents a stark landscape transformed by industry. We don't know exactly when or by whom it was made, but the image itself is a potent material document. The photograph’s grainy texture and sepia tones speak to the laborious processes of both mining and early photography. The scene reveals a massive excavation, altering the Earth's surface in the relentless pursuit of precious stones. The dark, weighty presence of the soil contrasts with the distant, lighter horizon, where the mine's industrial infrastructure resides. The photograph isn't just about what it depicts; it’s about what it implies: the back-breaking work, the colonial context of the mine, the human cost of desire. It asks us to consider the environmental impact of our material desires. Understanding photography as a material document helps us appreciate the broader implications of images, especially those tied to resource extraction and industrial labor. It is a grim reminder of the interconnectedness of making, materials, and social context.