Fotoalbum oliewinning op Borneo 1903 - 1907

This olive-green photo album, a relic of oil exploitation on Borneo, presents a rectangular form, softened by the plush texture of its velvet cover. The subtle tonal shifts across its surface, from light to darker greens, create a mottled effect, reminiscent of a landscape viewed through a hazy filter. The album's very existence, its form and materiality, hints at a narrative far beyond the images it may contain. The choice of velvet, a material typically associated with luxury, contrasts sharply with the potentially destructive reality of oil extraction. This juxtaposition sets up a semiotic tension; the velvet signifying opulence, while the album’s contents likely document environmental and social disruption. Consider how the album functions as a cultural artifact. Its dimensions—height, width, and thickness—contribute to its presence, inviting tactile engagement. Ultimately, this object prompts us to reflect on how form, material, and context intertwine to create layers of meaning, urging us to question the values and categories we often take for granted.