Cartoonist Jango testing the waters<\/p>\n
I Wayan Juniartha, Denpasar, Bali<\/p>\n
Kadek Jango Pramartha could be easily described as a an who
\nsimply does not fit into any existing stereotypes.<\/p>\n
Born into a wealthy family -- his father was a successful tour
\nguide and owner of Bali's two oldest art shops -- Jango could
\nhave led a luxurious life by merely taking over the family
\nbusiness.<\/p>\n
Instead, he chose to be a cartoonist, a job that provides
\nlittle financial security.<\/p>\n
He developed this passion for \"making people laugh\" during
\nhis early years in senior high school. At 23, he started his
\ncareer as a permanent contributor to the island's largest
\nnewspaper, Bali Post.<\/p>\n
It took him three years before he reached what he calls the
\nbeginning of his \"creative maturity\", a significant period marked
\nwith the birth of Sigug, his original, signature cartoon
\ncharacter.<\/p>\n
Sigug, a Balinese word that is literally translated
\nas \"awkward\", now appears regularly on the Sunday edition of the
\nBali Post.<\/p>\n
As one of Bali's most influential cartoonists, having
\nportrayed the ironies, failures and paradoxes of its people and
\nculture for almost 16 years, Jango could have easily grown into a
\ncynical, pessimistic man.<\/p>\n
Instead, he says he's as optimistic as he ever was.<\/p>\n
\"It's probably because I believe that 'change is glory'. It is
\nimpossible to insulate our island, people and culture from the
\nchanges inflicted by the global world. However, we do have the
\npower to control those changes so as we will not lose our true
\ncharacter, identity and cultural roots as Balinese,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Our traditional culture possesses several flaws, such as the
\ncaste system, while modern culture has its own weakness. We
\nshould have the courage to throw those flaws out of our culture
\nand take what is good from modern culture,\" he said.<\/p>\n
His views of progress and development are clearly shown in his
\n30 works currently on display in his solo exhibition The Art of
\nJango Pramartha.<\/p>\n
The works tackle various problems of contemporary Bali, from
\nthe marginalization of the Balinese farmers, land conversion, the
\nalluring temptation of modern goods and lifestyles, the hidden
\ndanger of globalization and the degradation of Balinese Hindus'
\nspirituality.<\/p>\n
For many Balinese those problems are sensitive and emotionally
\ncharged. Any discussion of them could easily split the population
\ninto vehemently opposing camps.<\/p>\n
Yet, none of the works exude a sense of anger or frustration.
\nInstead, they are comical, soul-searching and reflective.<\/p>\n
\"Cartoons are supposed to be funny, to make people laugh and
\nnot to make them angry or defensive. Cartoons should be able to
\nelicit laughter -- well, a giggle will also do -- even from the
\npeople who are being 'victimized' by them,\" Jango said.<\/p>\n
Moreover, none of the works display moral judgments toward the
\nproblems they portray. Jango says he does not take any side in
\nthe perpetual quarrel between traditional and modern Bali.<\/p>\n
Many people, and some cartoonists, view this neutral stance as
\nJango's most critical weakness.<\/p>\n
\"Passing judgment is not my job. I believe that the
\ncartoonist's duty is to give his or her society a slight pinch on
\nthe arm, to remind the people of many 'hilarious' developments
\nthat are taking place in their surroundings,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The exhibition, Jango said, was another experiment in
\nelevating the status of the cartoon from merely a magazine or
\nnewspaper illustration into a fine art object.<\/p>\n
\"(I'm trying) to transform a cartoon into a single, autonomous
\nand unified entity of meaning that can be interpreted and speak
\nfor itself and not depend on its association with other entities,
\nsuch as the newspaper,\" he said.<\/p>\n
This experiment has been successful. Five works, with prices
\nranging from Rp 3 million to Rp 5 million each, had been sold by
\nthe second day of the exhibition.<\/p>\n
The Art of Jango Pramartha will run until Sept. 31 at the Griya
\nSantrian Gallery, Jl. Danau Tamblingan 47, Sanur (0361-288181)<\/p>",
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