Brussel en Pernantian, 1937 1937 - 1939

"Brussel en Pernantian" was produced in 1937 by Shibaya and takes the form of photographs mounted on pages. It offers us a glimpse into the colonial landscape of the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. These images evoke the complexities of labor, land exploitation, and cultural imposition during that era. Consider the visual contrast between cultivated fields and industrial buildings, reflecting the intersection of agricultural production and colonial infrastructure. These landscapes became sites of power dynamics, where indigenous populations were subjected to forced labor and displacement. How do the artist's choices in composition and framing influence our perception of these historical realities? Moreover, these images provide insight into the relationship between colonizer and colonized and the human cost of progress. They invite contemplation on the social, economic, and environmental consequences of colonialism. They can serve as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of historical injustices on contemporary society.