Het stadspark van Surabaya 1876 - 1884

Herman Salzwedel captured ‘Het stadspark van Surabaya’ with photography, though the specific date remains unknown. This image transports us to a colonial Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, inviting contemplation on power, identity, and representation. At first glance, the park scene appears serene, almost picturesque, yet it’s essential to acknowledge the complex historical and cultural context in which this image was created. Surabaya, a bustling port city, bore witness to the impositions of Dutch colonial rule, a reality subtly present in the manicured landscape, reflecting a European vision imposed on Indonesian soil. What does it mean to create a space of leisure in a land marked by colonial exploitation? How do the ideals of order and beauty mask the underlying inequalities and power dynamics? Reflecting on these questions invites us to consider how the photograph itself participates in constructing and perpetuating colonial narratives. The park becomes a stage where the drama of colonial identity and control unfolds.