Houtmijt in een houtskoolbranderij te Paja Adap bij Koba c. 1900 - 1920

This is a photograph of a charcoal factory in Paja Adap, near Koba, made at some point by an anonymous photographer. What strikes me first is the sheer labor and skill that goes into this construction. Look at the way the logs are stacked, the careful arrangement of the scaffolding. There’s a real attention to detail in the composition, even though it’s a straightforward documentary shot. It reminds me of Bernd and Hilla Becher’s photographs of industrial structures – a similar fascination with form and function. The texture is incredible, from the rough bark of the logs to the woven roof of the kiln. The tones of grey emphasize the contrast between light and shadow, making the whole scene feel very tactile. You can almost smell the wood smoke. Photography can be so powerful because it captures a specific moment in time, but it also invites us to imagine the whole process, the before and after. Like, what came of all that charcoal? It’s a reminder that art isn't just painting or sculpture. It's also about seeing the beauty and complexity in everyday life.