A History of Photography in Indonesia: From the Colonial Era to the Digital Age

Indonesia's history of photography is unique, with the Dutch colonial government bringing the medium to the East Indies in the 1840s and recognizing its potential in serving the colonial apparatus. Photography has been an essential tool of colonialism, independence, reformasi, and democracy, and is now available to anyone with a phone. This book gathers essays by leading artists, scholars, and curators from around the world who have worked with photography in Indonesia and have traced the evolution of the medium from its inception to the present day.

Format: Hardback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 25 October 2022
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

Indonesia, a former colonized nation, holds a significant place in the history of photography. A History of Photography in Indonesia: From the Colonial Era to the Digital Age explores the development of photography from its origins to its current uses in the country. The Dutch colonial government introduced photography to the East Indies in the 1840s, recognizing its potential in serving the colonial apparatus. As Indonesia grew and changed, so did the medium. Photography became an essential tool of colonialism, but it also played a crucial role in the movement for independence, reformasi, and democracy. Today, photography is accessible to anyone with a phone, making it a powerful tool for communication and expression. This book features essays by leading artists, scholars, and curators from around the world who have worked with photography in Indonesia and have traced the evolution of the medium from its inception to the present day. The essays address the impact of photography on colonialism, independence, and democratization, shedding light on the ways in which photography has shaped Indonesian society and culture.

Weight: 2192g
Dimension: 227 x 287 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789463729499