Ingestorte spoorbrug over de Nagara-rivier in Japan na een aardbeving before 1892

This photograph shows the Ingestorte spoorbrug over the Nagara-rivier in Japan. The bridge, made of steel, lies broken after an earthquake. Steel is the key material here, a substance born of intense industrial processes. Its creation demands enormous energy, reflecting a society geared towards large-scale production and consumption. In its original state, the bridge was a symbol of connection and progress, enabling the efficient transport of goods and people. The earthquake reveals a vulnerability inherent in even the most robust industrial structures. Consider the labor involved in its construction: the engineers who designed it, the factory workers who forged the steel components, and the construction crews who assembled it on site. Each rivet represents a point of intense effort, connecting individual components into a unified whole. By focusing on materials, making, and social context, we can move beyond the traditional art historical focus on authorship and aesthetics, to fully understand the artwork's meaning.