Gezicht op de haven van Singapore 1867 - 1880

This is a photograph of the port of Singapore by G.R. Lambert & Co. The image shows a juxtaposition between the traditional and the modern with the presence of boats and an imposing European-style building. The architecture of the building is significant. Its arches and neoclassical style speak to the cultural aspirations of colonial powers, echoing similar structures found throughout their empires. But consider the Greek key motif around the photograph, a symbol that originated in ancient Greece but was revived during the Neoclassical period, becoming emblematic of reason, order, and civilization. The repetition of this motif in the border of the photograph suggests a conscious effort to frame Singapore as a center of progress. The architecture, in contrast with the 'organic' and 'natural' landscape in the background, invites us to explore the subtle ways in which colonial powers sought to impose their cultural values through architectural and decorative symbols, shaping not only the physical space but also the collective psyche of the colonized. This is a recurring theme throughout history as symbols are reused, recontextualized, and imbued with new meanings to serve the needs of the present.