Photographers get intimate in month-long exhibition<\/p>\n
M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Roland Barthes, one of the chief formulators of semiology, the
\nstudy of forms by interpreting the societal role of signs and
\nsymbols, said in his most celebrated book, Camera Lucida, that
\nwhat makes a photograph great was when the subject lent herself
\nto the photographer.<\/p>\n
Looking at his mother's old pictures, Barthes said: \"She
\nplaced herself in front of the lens with discretion.\"<\/p>\n
For some photographers, this can be accomplished by having
\ntheir family members, close friends, lovers or those who are
\ncomfortable enough to have their pictures taken in intimate
\ncircumstances pose for them.<\/p>\n
Thanks to this approach, visitors to a photo exhibition
\norganized by Oktagon Gallery have the luxury of seeing images of
\nthe country's most famous female writer, Ayu Utami, (gasp) in the
\nnude, or relaxed photos of anchorwoman Desi Anwar, among scores
\nof pictures of the friends and loved ones of participating
\nphotographers.<\/p>\n
These pictures and other intimate portraitures produced by
\nsome of the country's top fashion photographers are on display at
\nan exhibition aptly titled The Loved Ones at the Alila Hotel
\nbetween July 2 and July 14, and at Oktagon gallery from July 15
\nto July 31.<\/p>\n
Intimate photos of the celebrities apart, a large portion of
\nthe photos on display are of the fathers, wives, lovers and
\nchildren of the photographers.<\/p>\n
Upon entering the lobby of Alila, where the exhibition is
\nbeing held, visitors are greeted by photos shot by Nico
\nDharmajungen, who seems to be fixated with somber women.<\/p>\n
Contrary to the main theme of the exhibition, some of his
\npictures look like those printed in glossy fashion magazines. The
\nonly portraiture that evokes intimacy are the photos of Nico's
\nson.<\/p>\n
Next to Nico's works are photographs shot by Tora
\nSosrowardoyo, which beam with intimacy.<\/p>\n
One of the most compelling images in the exhibition is one
\ntitled Ina and Shaista Mayapada 4.7.1999. The Ina and Shaista of
\nthe title are Tora's wife and second daughter, and the picture
\ndepicts, almost mythic-like, the birth of the daughter.<\/p>\n
Taken in a maternity room, the black-and-white photo shows the
\nnewly born Shaista being raised by a doctor from the surgery
\ntable, while the mother lies helpless under her.<\/p>\n
The baby glows with bright light, looking almost biblical.<\/p>\n
\"It doesn't matter how many times it may have happened, in my
\ncase only once before, there is the same shuddering realization
\nof how `incomplete' man is without having acknowledged the power
\nof the unseen and cursing those who forsake their mothers,\" Tora
\nwrites in the liner notes for the photo.<\/p>\n
Tora used the same technique to similar result and effect for
\nthe photo 04.04.1988, depicting the birth of his first child.<\/p>\n
Sitting next to Tora's photos are intimate pictures of Ayu,
\nshot by Erik Prasetya. In one series of photos she is accompanied
\nby a cat.<\/p>\n
\"Pop culture often associates women with cats, the two most
\nloved subjects for photographers, and I wanted to explore further
\nthe association in visual form,\" Erik said.<\/p>\n
The result is not voyeurism, as the author was neither showing
\nor hiding herself. Rather, she just threw herself in front of the
\ncamera and actuality ensued.<\/p>\n
Photographer Darwis Triadi opts for carefully choreographed
\nscenes to describe his admiration for his father.<\/p>\n
In his photographs, Darwis glorifies his father's career in
\nthe military, almost jingoistic in tone, by taking pictures of a
\nyoung actor in military fatigues confronting his inner demons.<\/p>\n
In one of his pictures, Darwis takes a watery shot of the
\nactor, wielding a rifle, standing in front of a church with a
\ncross hanging over him, with a cheesy line that reads: \"Going
\nforward to eternity with head held up high.\"<\/p>\n
Echoing Barthes, the exhibition's initiator, photographer
\nFirman Ichsan, said in his opening remarks that: \"Photographers
\nhave done their job well if their pictures summon a new reality
\nin the two-dimensional works.\"<\/p>\n
Photo exhibition The Loved Ones ran until July 14 at the Space
\nLounge at Alila Hotel, Jl. Pecenongan Kav. 7-17. It will also be
\nheld from July 15 through July 31 at Oktagon Gallery, Jl. Gunung
\nSahari Raya 50A, tel. 4204545 ext. 201; fax: 4202900; email:
\nfoundation@oktagon.co.id<\/p>",
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