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.