Photo exhibition shows the surreal in the every day<\/p>\n
By Aendra H. Medita<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Two photographers from Germany and Indonesia
\ndisplay their works, showing different angles that are both
\ninspiring and phenomenal.<\/p>\n
The two photographers, Sigrun Janiel and Rama Surya, tend to
\nlet their imagination run free in their works while at the same
\ntime exposing spaces left untouched by most photographers.<\/p>\n
And surprisingly, both have touched the reality of daily lives
\namid ordinary objects captured in their works.<\/p>\n
Photography, just like other reality in art, tends to build
\nindependent aesthetic and meaning as shown in the works of the
\ntwo photographers being displayed at Galeri Milenium in South
\nJakarta until Sept. 8.<\/p>\n
Janiel, a German woman photographer who learned visual
\ncommunication with Prof. J. Bostrom and Prof. G. Heinemann at a
\nvocational institute where she received her diploma on photo and
\nfilm design in 1988, started her aesthetic experience with
\njournalistic photos, portraits and experimental works.<\/p>\n
The 47-year-old lecturer of photography at the Graphic Design
\nVocational Institute in Ravensburg, Germany, lives in Germany and
\nsometimes in Jakarta. She sharpened her ability to change
\nphenomena around her life. This included photographing a doll
\nfactory in Tangerang, West Java, creating surrealism works of
\nart.<\/p>\n
Although Janiel acknowledged it was difficult to photograph
\nthe doll factory, in the end she produced complex works,
\nrevealing adventure which was far from boring, but more a focused
\nsearch presented through imaginative, subjective surrealism
\ncaptured by her camera.<\/p>\n
The captured objects build subjective surrealism which
\neventually raises one's curiosity through the objects, especially
\nthe broken dolls spread all over the factory's corners.<\/p>\n
Her photos are left untitled, but to create certain images out
\nof the photos, she cited text taken from Wina Erich Fried's
\npoetry. Janiel said that both the photos and text retained their
\nown characters.<\/p>\n
\"Basically, the photos and text reveal spaces and events that
\neach wants to tell,\" said Janiel, who has had two solo
\nexhibitions in Jakarta since 1988.<\/p>\n
Janiel's other works are subjective, but it makes one feel and
\nrealize untouched spaces. The photos are far from simple at a
\nquick glance, since there are certain images and auras behind
\nthem.<\/p>\n
Janiel's work process might be tiring, but it offers her space
\nfor new communication. But it can be said that such works tend to
\nbe very European in nature as seen in the works of, among other
\nthings, Man Ray, Silke Grosmann and Moholy Nagy.<\/p>\n
Janiel's works are different from Rama Surya's. After
\npresenting present phenomena and social reality in the country
\nthrough his works Yang Kuat Yang Kalah (The Strongest, The Loser)
\nfrom 1996, the 30-year-old photographer is now trying to open
\npeople's eyes to daily realities which have been left untouched
\nby most photographers.<\/p>\n
Rama, who learned photography from the Bandung-based
\nPhotography and Design Arts Institute (ISFD), does not only
\npresent the political euphoria affecting the country, such as
\ncapturing campaigning events, but also problems happening in
\nsmall corners.<\/p>\n
Although his presentation is more like a note exposed after
\nbeing silenced for over 30 years, it seems like Rama wants to
\nexpress how the present social phenomena dream about prosperity,
\nfreedom and democracy.<\/p>\n
He reflected an ideal picture of painter Joko Pekik in Joko
\nPekik Berburu Celeng, (Joko Pekik on Pig Hunting), which showed
\nPekik creating a painting of a hunted pig after former president
\nSoeharto resigned from his position.<\/p>\n
He also captured a street tailor working with a poster of
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri, the presidential candidate of the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, and first president
\nSukarno, Megawati's father, in the background.<\/p>\n
Another work features a tattoo artist placing an ad of the
\nNational Mandate Party's (PAN) chairman, Amien Rais, having an
\narm wrestling contest with Soeharto with the slogan, Masih Kuat
\n(Still Powerful), which showed sharp irony.<\/p>\n
Rama's works are strong and creative in unveiling small
\nmatters. The reality of his works are social realism that open up
\none's eyes to see social problems of urban people and more.<\/p>\n
Rama reads complex reality and his objects make his works talk
\nwithout a need for further explanation while trying to remind one
\nto seek a figure that will set all Indonesians free.<\/p>\n
The exhibition's curator, Hendro Wiyanto, said Janiel and
\nRama's works represented real interpretation.<\/p>\n
\"In Janiel's works, one can clearly see symbolical
\nrepresentation, while Rama's works show dynamic social
\nanxiety ...,\" Hendro said.<\/p>",
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