Postcards from history's edge<\/p>\n
By Yogita Tahil Ramani<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A photograph is a trace, something directly
\nstenciled off the real, like a footprint or a death mask.<\/p>\n
Looming out of an exhibition of old-fashioned photographed
\ndelights in a dimmed gallery, the thought of philosopher Susan
\nSontag reverberates with visual memories.<\/p>\n
Twilight Cafe on Jl. Kemang Raya 24A, South Jakarta, is
\nholding a 100-postcard exhibition of images of a former Indonesia
\nand Singapore until Jan. 29.<\/p>\n
There are many striking images of the extraordinary -- but it
\nis the quaint "moving" quality of these photographs that is more
\nattractive.<\/p>\n
A seminude sarong weaver, the Ciliwung river dotted with boats
\nand the banks with shacks are but two examples of black-and-white
\npostcards displayed in a manner that makes them look more like
\nphotographs. Portraits of the solitary Victorian mansion of a
\nSingapore club and Bandung's Jl. Braga before it was transformed
\ninto a fully fledged commercial area are also in the collection.<\/p>\n
The photographs of Indonesia were taken during Dutch rule and
\nthe story behind them is that of a beauty lost. The magnificence
\nof old buildings, the quiet charm of desolate tree-lined streets,
\nbuggy rides, market scenes and ordinary people of various
\ncultures.<\/p>\n
Fascinating historical commentary of a bygone era is the
\noverall feeling: Chinatown in Bandung, the Waterloo Monument that
\nstood in Central Jakarta where Lapangan Banteng is now, Jakarta's
\nold Pasar Baru area, and of course, Bandung's Institute of
\nTechnology, the city's oldest university.<\/p>\n
A collector of old photographs, organizer Josh Kasman has kept
\nup close relations with many Dutch friends. This is his fourth
\nexhibition here.<\/p>\n
"Their (The Dutch) families went back to the Netherlands. I
\nhad to write to them to get them to send the postcards back
\nhere," Josh said.<\/p>\n
"Back then, there was no color photography. For color
\nphotographs, they used water colors."<\/p>\n
The photographers were not afraid to display their subjects in
\ncolor and this bravery has certainly paid off. The Chinese bacon
\nseller and his assistant, and the bright redbrick roofs of
\nhouses on Jl. Braga in Bandung are beautiful examples, appearing
\nmore real than colored photographs would have been.<\/p>\n
Streets<\/p>\n
Street scenes, however, seem to be the most photographed, most
\nmoving images captured on film. A view of Surabaya's Bibis
\ndistrict and the picture of a man resting on a roadside fence in
\nthe midst of splendid greenery on Bandung's Jl. Merdeka are truly
\ncaptivating. The latter was one of a number of fine portraits
\nshowing the sheer grandeur of a green Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Another beautiful portrait is of a worker watering a garden
\nwith huge, long- and straight-spouted pots attached to a wooden-
\nstick balanced on his shoulders.<\/p>\n
With its old pronunciations of names -- Bandoeng, Soerabaja,
\nSoekaboemie -- several portraits of market scenes, such as in
\nJakarta's old Kota (downtown) area, and Harmonie clubs (a haven
\nfor Dutch gatherings in Jakarta) seem beautifully composed.<\/p>\n
Photos are for sale and with the exception of one of
\nPekalongan, Central Java, -- priced at Rp 135,000 (US$12.25) --
\nall are Rp 75,000. Captions are thankfully short and, with the
\npictures depicting quieter times, complement the photographs
\nquite well.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/postcards-from-historys-edge-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}