Vrouw die twee tonnen water draagt before 1899

This image, taken by Johan Huijsser, captures a woman carrying two tubs of water. The process of photography, even at this early date, involves a complex relationship to material. First the making of the camera itself, and then the development process to produce an image from film. Consider the inherent qualities of photography as a medium; its capacity to freeze a moment in time, and its dependence on light and shadow to create form. This particular photograph, with its grainy texture and stark contrasts, speaks to the early techniques and tools of photography. However, we must also consider the social significance imbued in this photograph. The amount of human labor involved in the production of water and the means of collecting it. While Huijsser’s image is seemingly mundane, it speaks to the broader issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Therefore, we must challenge the traditional boundaries between fine art and craft, and emphasize the importance of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of the artwork.