1994: From tragic accident to magazines' ban<\/p>\n
By Amir Sidharta<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The photographs shown at Antara
\nPhotojournalistic Gallery's Flashback 1994, exhibition don't just
\nremind viewers of what happened in 1994. The photographs,
\nrecording a year filled with the struggle toward development and
\ndemocracy as well as against a number of natural disasters, also
\nstress the importance of humanity.<\/p>\n
Curator and photo editor Oscar Motuloh has embraced a
\n\"Photography for Humanity\" theme. He hopes to present humans not
\nmerely as the object of photos, but as a subject playing an
\nactive role in the picture. Yudhi, chief curator of the gallery,
\nstresses that the exhibit also tries to emphasize the central
\nrole of the photographer \"as a human being whose heart beats
\nfaster in face of injustice.\"<\/p>\n
The show's 58 photographs were selected from more than 4,000
\nimages taken last year and represent a wide range of subjects.
\nSpot news photographs predominate. Many illustrate the nation's
\nstruggle toward democracy. It seems more opinions were voiced
\nlast year compared to previous years, whether they were
\nconsidered acceptable is a different matter.<\/p>\n
In March, in response to a fatal accident involving a
\nrecklessly driven Metro Mini, crowds ran amok and destroyed
\nseveral Metro Mini buses. At the Al-Azhar mosque in May, several
\nmen eagerly volunteered to help defend Bosnian Moslems.<\/p>\n
Photographs are no longer just representations of an event. A
\nphotograph can tell more. It can show the duality that exists
\nbetween governments and the people. One photo shows hundreds of
\nemployees from the banned Tempo, DeTik and Editor magazines, in
\nblack T-shirts bearing the exclamation \"Yes!\", peeking through
\nthe silhouetted figures of police in the foreground. The dark
\nfigures create a barrier between the viewer and victims of
\ninjustice. Another image shows a worried woman looking through an
\nopening in a wall in the midst of the debris of Bendungan Hilir's
\nSeptember inferno. Outside the ruins of the room, stand two riot
\npolice on patrol. The photograph, part of a series that attempts
\nto reveal the entire incident, does more to evoke questions than
\nto provide factual information. What happened? Why?<\/p>\n
The exhibition is not limited to photographs presenting images
\nof prominent figures or important events. The curators also
\nincluded photographs illustrating the daily life of common
\npeople. One portrays the atmosphere in a schoolroom at the State
\nGrade School Sumber Bahagia in Bekasi. The teachers and students,
\nstruggling to pursue knowledge, take turns using the one
\nremaining classroom in the decrepit school building.<\/p>\n
In addition to the images of daily life, the exhibition
\nincludes a photo essay about a driver of the vanishing oplet
\ncabs that used to clog Jakarta's streets. Apparently, there are
\nonly six left in the city.<\/p>\n
Photo essays, portraying life of \"everyday people\", are
\nusually compiled between assignments, according to the
\nphotographer's own pace and interest. They are therefore a
\nphotographer's personal and passionate account of human life as
\nwell as of their own perception and sensitivity. In creating
\nphoto essays, the photographer must treat human beings as the
\nsubject, not the object of his image. The photographer takes on
\nthe primary role of creator -- as opposed to the executor of a
\nphoto.<\/p>\n
The rather slanted view of the exhibition is a diversion from
\nthe journalistic principle of objectivity. But what is
\nobjectivity anyway? Many Indonesians have come to realize that
\nwhat has been considered an objective viewpoint is actually the
\nsubjective view of the so-called majority.<\/p>\n
A good exhibition needs to convey a strong message. This one,
\nsupported with a fine selection of passionate images, reminds us
\nof the importance of human life and humanity.<\/p>\n
Flashback 1994, at the Antara Photojournalistic Gallery, Jl.
\nPasar Baru 59, Central Jakarta, has been extended to the end of
\nthe month.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/1994-from-tragic-accident-to-magazines-ban-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}