Foochow Arsenal c. 1868

John Thomson created this albumen print titled "Foochow Arsenal" in the late 19th century. The arsenal, with its chimneys emitting smoke, dominates the landscape, symbolizing the industrial ambitions of the time. Towers like this, reaching towards the sky, are reminiscent of the Tower of Babel—a motif that embodies humanity's aspiration to attain the divine, yet also its susceptibility to hubris. Smoke, rising from the chimneys, connects to the smoke from the burning offerings in ancient rituals, evoking ideas of sacrifice and transformation. From ancient ziggurats to modern skyscrapers, the visual language of height has always conveyed power and ambition. Here, the arsenal stands as a testament to China's aspirations for modernization, but it also carries the weight of potential conflict. The image, therefore, is not merely a depiction of progress, but an artifact laden with complex cultural and psychological currents, continually evolving as the future unfolds.