Mexican photographer captures spirit of children<\/p>\n
Tania Budihardjo, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Mexican photographer Manuel Penafiel lives up to the tag of
\n"specialist" with his authentic portrayal of his country's
\nculture.<\/p>\n
In his latest exhibition in Jakarta, Children of Mexico, which
\nends on Aug. 25, he presents just that.<\/p>\n
In this collection of colored photographs, all taken in the
\nlate 1970's, the viewer glimpses the everyday activities and
\nmoments that make up the lives of typical Mexican children.<\/p>\n
Like his earlier exhibition titled My People last month, the
\nlifestyles reflected are markedly earthy, simple, and reminiscent
\nof those in other less-developed countries. The young girl in
\nHandkerchief Saleswoman, for example, would blend in should she
\nbe transported to a street in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Regardless of whether the children's' activities are familiar,
\nthe children will be.<\/p>\n
Children's Theater, for instance, depicts children in their
\nprime: wrapped up in innocent playtime, and from the glee on
\ntheir faces, having a great time, too.<\/p>\n
Coyoacan Plaza shows a pre-pubescent girl chasing pigeons in a
\npark with that unrestrained joyful laughter which is the true
\nmark of youth.<\/p>\n
An image of a young boy playing with a baby on a humble
\nstreetside, fancifully titled Acrobats, reminds one of the magic
\nof a child's imagination. Standing out due to its grim mood,
\nThree Broken Dolls is an honest, less conventional view of
\nchildren struggling to survive.<\/p>\n
Penafiel also presents images that are more recognizably
\nMexican. Home Altar shows a young boy standing next to a Catholic
\naltar, which is obviously a revered part of the family's home.<\/p>\n
A stereotypical image of Mexico, thanks in part to the
\nChiquita company, Dance of the Pineapple features a young girl
\ndancing in traditional festive dress.<\/p>\n
Captured in Penafiel's collection are the colloquial,
\ncommonplace moments of day-to-day life, and the children of a
\npeople fully engulfed in Mexico's mainstream melting pot, who
\npossess humble origins and whose ways of life revolve around
\nMexican traditions and values.<\/p>\n
Penafiel, renowned for his dedication to preserving those
\nvalues, has also preserved that most precious of pristine
\ntreasures, the nature of children. As Constantino Morales,
\nCultural Attache of the Embassy of Mexico says, "What you see is
\nthe spirit of children. The children of Mexico are the same as
\nthe children of Indonesia. Children are children everywhere.
\nThey have the same games, the same dreams."<\/p>\n
-- Children of Mexico is showing at La Casa de Mexico, Jl.
\nPanglima Polim III No.1-3, Kebayoran Baru, and runs until Aug.
\n25, 2002. The exhibition is open from 11 am to 6 pm.<\/p>",
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