Aug. 17 photos ring the changes

Aug. 17 photos ring the changes

P.J. Leo, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

How much patriotism, which is showing signs of diminishing, is
left? How much love for the motherland remains, especially now
when regional, ethnic and religious sentiments seem to be
stronger than our desire to live together in a unitary state?

It is this diminishing patriotism that prompted photographers
grouped in the Indonesian Photo Journalists (PFI) association as
well as freelance photographers to hold a photo exhibition on the
celebration of Independence Day.

The photographs reflect the atmosphere the Indonesian people
found themselves in when celebrating the 56th anniversary of
independence on Aug. 17, 2001. Their appearance was marked by
various patterns, colors and styles, ranging from traditional and
singular situations to those which were touching and moving.

"The idea to hold an exhibition on Independence Day photos
suddenly struck us when we, photographers, were gathering and
talking about our country. It is now on the brink of collapse,
and (we were prompted by) the fact that some of us no longer care
about national unity and integrity," said well-known photographer
Deniek G. Sukarya.

The Aug. 17 photos are on display for one month from Nov. 21
to Dec. 21 at Galeri Cahya in Kemang, South Jakarta. The
exhibition this time was opened by senior photographers in a
breaking of the fast gathering.

The pictures record activities of bureaucrats to people from
the grass roots during Independence Day celebrations. The
exhibition, the first to be held here, features photographs of
events to commemorate the day in different places: at Merdeka
Palace with President Megawati Soekarnoputri leading the official
ceremony, while Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso and members of the
diplomatic corps observed this special day at Central Jakarta's
Taman Suropati. In rural areas people commemorated the day with
games in which participants climbed an erect greased pole.

Some of the photographs also show how paraplegics merrily took
part in celebrations in wheelchairs or how security personnel on
duty in Aceh remained alert against possible attacks by
separatist rebels. Everybody enjoyed themselves on this
auspicious day, be they in mountainous areas or on rivers doing
some adventurous sport.

A festive Independence Day atmosphere was also apparent on Jl.
Jaksa, Central Jakarta, where foreigners often stay. They all
took part in the celebration along with locals.

"There was nothing special about this year's celebration.
However, photographs capturing our own activities may lead us to
contemplate about ourselves. They also pose a question about
whether we still care about this republic, with all its pluses
and minuses," said Oscar Motuloh, one of the curators assigned to
select the photographs for this ongoing exhibition.

For the community of photographers, pictures on display are
records of one of the most important days in the journey of the
Republic of Indonesia. It is a nostalgic journey but at the same
time an expression of patriotism, although it begins to weaken,
as reflected in various activities to celebrate this day across
the country.