Fotoalbum Suikerfabriek Tjomal op Java c. 1890 - 1910

This is an album of photographs of the Tjomal sugar factory in Java, created by Otto Hisgen. The sugar industry in Java during the late 19th and early 20th centuries was deeply entwined with Dutch colonialism. These images, while seemingly documenting the industrial process, also speak to the social hierarchies of the time. Who is seen, how they are seen, and who is behind the camera, all tell a story about power. The album invites us to reflect on the labor and lives of the Javanese people who worked in these factories, often under harsh conditions. Consider the gaze of the photographer. What does he choose to show, and what remains unseen? The photographs are not just records, but curated representations that reflect the colonial perspective. The album becomes a poignant reminder of the complex relationship between industry, identity, and colonial history.