Panden aan een straat 1886

This photograph, "Panden aan een straat" or "Buildings on a street", was taken by Kassian Céphas in Indonesia. Céphas was one of the first native Indonesian photographers. In this image, the architecture suggests a colonial presence, while the people populating the street represent a mix of local inhabitants and colonizers. Note the differing postures and clothing which hint at social stratification. As we observe this street scene, it’s important to consider Céphas’s identity as a Javanese man working within the constraints of Dutch colonial rule. He documents life as he sees it, but we must remember the power dynamics inherent in who gets to represent whom. Consider the gaze of the photographer, and how it shapes our understanding of this place and its people. "Buildings on a Street" prompts us to reflect on the complexities of cultural exchange, representation, and identity in a colonial context.