Loongwa temple before 1908

Curator: Before you is a photographic print from before 1908, titled "Loongwa temple," created by Geldolph Adriaan Kessler. Editor: There's something about the light in this old photograph, it almost feels melancholic. The composition draws my eye in, despite it not being conventionally ‘beautiful.’ Curator: I think that melancholy speaks to a bygone era. It is historical photography after all, offering a lens into a very specific time and place. Beyond the spiritual aspect, consider how Kessler presents architectural achievement in relation to people and animals; what statement about progress, labour, and spirituality do you think is being made here? Editor: It makes you consider the cost, right? You see those sturdy animals, presumably laden with goods. Temples weren’t just built; resources had to be sourced, moved...It’s easy to marvel at the craftsmanship but looking through my lens it all boils down to the nitty gritty – the production and toil that’s obscured. Curator: The material cost definitely factors in, but the cultural exchange fascinates me even more. It makes you wonder about Kessler himself and his interactions with the community. It's also worth appreciating the inherent skill behind early photography. The technology was rudimentary back then, requiring precision and vision. What meaning did he construct by immortalizing the temple in a photograph for foreign audiences, I wonder. Editor: Definitely! It’s a balancing act, appreciating artistry whilst dissecting the labor and material complexities enmeshed in making things. These details aren't flaws, rather gateways into fuller appreciation. Curator: Agreed. The photo encapsulates a rich blend of skill, spirituality, and human narrative. Editor: Precisely – a visual puzzle pieced together with material clues and emotional shades.