Theefabriek Kertamanah gebouwd door Machinefabriek Braat Soerabaia 1934 1934

This photograph captures the Theefabriek Kertamanah, a tea factory built by Machinefabriek Braat Soerabaia in 1934. Here we have a tea factory—an image that seems so matter-of-fact, almost like a technical drawing. I imagine the photographer setting up their equipment, carefully framing the building to capture its architectural details. What were they thinking as they looked through the viewfinder? Did they consider the lives of the workers who would occupy this space, or were they more focused on the geometric forms and industrial precision of the structure? The interplay of light and shadow across the building’s facade gives it depth and texture, while the careful composition creates a sense of balance and order. Thinking about how other photographers like Bernd and Hilla Becher looked at industrial structures, I start to see it as more than just a record; it becomes a study in form and function. It’s a moment frozen in time, inviting us to reflect on the intersection of art, industry, and human experience.