'[aikon!]' offers alternative media<\/p>\n
Bayu Dwi, Contributor, The Jakarta Post<\/p>\n
Piles of bulletins and promotional brochures of various
\ncultural events lie stacked in a room where a number of employees
\nenthusiastically work at desks in a sunken office area off to the
\nrear.<\/p>\n
This is just a glimpse of the daily activity at Yayasan Aikon
\nMedia Publik (YAMP), a non-profit foundation that focuses on the
\ndocumentation and publication of information on the arts,
\nenvironment and cultural heritage. Located in Kemang, South
\nJakarta, its appearance differs from other offices in general.
\nWithout the usual front desk filled by receptionists, this
\nfoundation also has no security guards.<\/p>\n
While guests visiting other offices are always required to
\nleave their identity cards at the front desk, YAMP does not
\nenforce this procedure. However, that does not mean visitors can
\ndo whatever they like. The work space was designed in such a way
\nas to allow almost all the occupants to be in full view of the
\nmain entrance.<\/p>\n
Some second floor offices are partitioned off by transparent
\nglass panes, while those employees in the inner offices work in
\nspaces that have neither partitions nor doors. From the lower
\nlevel, employees have a wider view of the whole area without
\nbeing visible to guests. This is no doubt a well thought out but
\nsimple security system.<\/p>\n
Since 1994, YAMP has been publishing a free periodical with a
\ncirculation of 20,000. According to Enrico Halim, one of the
\neditors at [aikon!] the publication is a manifestation of YAMP's
\npublic service mission.<\/p>\n
\"It should be the government's function, but as you can see,
\nthey haven't been able to do so,\" said Rico, his nickname. The
\nmonthly goes out to over 100 selected places in Jakarta, Bandung
\nand Yogyakarta, with a readership of about 100,000 middle-class
\npeople aged 20 to 35.<\/p>\n
Profit is not its main goal and if there is any, it is
\nreturned to the public.<\/p>\n
\"We wish to provide information to as many segments of the
\npublic as possible on a wide range of issues, but the cost has to
\nbe derived from the media's ads. If profit is desired, we'll have
\nto seek graphic design orders, for instance,\" explained the
\ngraphic design graduate from the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n
\"Some even think we are a non-governmental organization,\"
\nremarked Rico with a smile. This idea may have come from the
\nrecycled paper used for its issues. In the beginning, the paper
\nwas a brownish color, which was rare but typically natural.
\nLately [aikon!] has used predominantly white paper and the
\nmaterial is local.<\/p>\n
The NGO brand earned by this environmental-conscious institute
\nis relevant. \"It's not just about the environment, but rather,
\nthe environment as part of culture in its broadest sense,\" added
\nRico.<\/p>\n
During the monetary crisis, [aikon!] continued to reach its
\nreaders each month. \"But we cut the circulation from 20,000 to
\nonly 5,000 copies, except during the Idul Fitri holidays, when it
\nwas absent,\" said Ukke Rukmini Kosasih, Rico's co-editor.<\/p>\n
[Aikon!] cooperates with various agencies and individuals, and
\nthis explains the presence of many busy \"strangers\" in YAMP's
\noffice. Sometimes it is deserted, especially when almost all of
\nthe personnel have to join a certain program, such as a heritage
\nweekend, in cooperation with the Directorate of Archeology.<\/p>\n
During this program, YAMP assists the government in its
\nefforts to conserve several historical buildings, such as the
\nBatavia Museum in Kota, in addition to gathering data on these
\nbuildings located all over the city, particularly in Menteng,
\nCentral Jakarta.<\/p>\n
YAMP usually recruits volunteers due to its limited staff. \"We
\ngive opportunities to society to participate in realizing our
\nmission,\" Ukke added.<\/p>\n
The public may join in diverse activities as well, such as
\nGelar Kebon (garden display), Pagi (pakai lagi, reuse), Lintas
\nSeni (art trek) and Berbagi (sharing), to mention a few. These
\nprograms are meant to inspire public concern over various issues
\nthat we tend to overlook.<\/p>\n
With the sharing activity, for example, there is a light
\ndiscussion on interesting topics ranging from digital art,
\ncomics, coral reefs, street kids, amateur astronomy to the music
\nshows of Sawung Jabo and Geng Gong. Participants also invite
\nexperts to share their knowledge in a nonformal setting, for
\nopinion or information-sharing amid a relaxed atmosphere at a
\nconvenient location.<\/p>\n
The venue is the garden in the backyard of YAMP's offices.
\nSome time ago, a sharing activity was held with Chandra Tanzil,
\nthe producer and director whose works represented the country in
\nthe First Time Filmmaker festival of Discovery Channel.<\/p>\n
Another more unique program is Pagi, which aims to encourage
\nthe recycling of products we usually throw away, particularly the
\nreuse of paper. The public needs only to drop off used paper to
\n[aikon!], which will then be transferred to recycling plants.<\/p>\n
\"Many have shown interest. So far 21 companies and seven
\ninstitutes are on the list,\" said Rico proudly. \"We once got used
\npaper that filled a whole truck, and we knew where to take it for
\nrecycling,\" Ukke said.<\/p>\n
By November 2001, [aikon!] had contributed a total of 23,111
\nkilograms of used paper.<\/p>\n
[aikon!] (icon) was taken from a Byzantine word. Churches of
\nthe past used to be decorated with pictures as symbols, but the
\nsignificance contained therein was not as simple as the
\nrepresentations. This inspired the choice of [aikon!].<\/p>\n
Funds come from sponsors, advertisers, donors and
\n[aikon!]membership fees.<\/p>\n
The publication now boasts 44 members, but this is still far
\nfrom its ideal. Each member pays an annual membership fee of Rp
\n54,000 if they live in Jakarta or Rp 66,000 if they are in other
\nprovinces. Income from ads is low as [aikon!] likes to barter,
\nsaid Handayani Ningsih, [aikon!]'s manager.<\/p>\n
With all its noble objectives, YAMP remains open to everyone
\nto share knowledge, idealism and concern as well as support, as
\nlong as there are no strings attached.<\/p>",
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