Twee afbeeldingen van Mantsjoerije before 1895

These photographs of Manchuria were produced by the Ordnance Survey Office, likely in the early 20th century. They capture a moment of intense geopolitical significance. The images point to Japan's growing imperial ambitions in the region. We see captured guns and flags, and the interior of Chinese earthworks. These are not neutral records but tools of empire, meant to document and perhaps even glorify Japan's military successes. The photographs thus embody a visual code of dominance and submission, telling a story of territorial conquest. To truly understand these images, we need to delve into the historical context. Researching the geopolitical strategies of Japan at the time and the resistance efforts in Manchuria will reveal the complex power dynamics at play. These photographs remind us that art, even in the form of documentation, is never truly objective; it is always shaped by the social and institutional forces of its time.