Cartoon exhibition brings humor and insight

JAKARTA (JP): Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Cok Tong is sitting behind his desk. On his left side, a glass showcase displays... Yes, former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew himself. A panel on the right side of the showcase reads: "In case of emergency break the glass".

Such is the sharpness, creativity and sense of humor of Singaporean cartoonist Heng Kim Song, whose cartoons are now on display in the ongoing 15-day 1995 ASEAN and Japan Cartoon Exhibition, which opened last Friday at Galeri Pasar Seni in Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, North Jakarta.

No less than 358 cartoons, drawn by Indonesian cartoonists grouped in the Indonesian Cartoonists Association, cartoonists from other ASEAN countries -- except Brunei -- and Japan, are featured in the exhibition. The exhibition is organized by the Japan Foundation in conjunction with the current 1995 Japan- Indonesia Friendship Festival.

Six cartoons that won top prizes at this year's National Cartoon Competition, whose theme was "Living in harmony in the world", are also on display.

The first-prize cartoon by Muchid Rachmat, of the so-called Kaliwungu Cartoonists Village in Semarang, Central Java, is not only good in terms of drawing quality, but also rich in ideas.

Muchid drew a black-and-white cartoon showing a indistinct scene of a crowded city, seen from above. In the center of the drawing is a colored part depicting a house complete with a blue- watered swimming pool and very green garden, surrounded by a high cement wall, which makes it resemble a palace in the center of a dry city.

Inside the wall is a living-in-harmony sight. However, combined with its surroundings, it speaks more of a gap between life inside and outside the wall and, as a whole, it contradicts the theme of harmonious living.

Creativity is the key word in producing good cartoons.

Japan's Yamanoi Norio proves that with creativity, simplicity can be turned into a good and humorous cartoon. From a distance, Norio's cartoon looks like a Japanese flag, a white background with a red circle in the middle. But, take a closer look, and you will see a man holding the circle from underneath. The message: It's hard to be a Japanese. The proof? The man looks exhausted and miserable, because the circle has become a burden.

Inspiration can also be obtained from events in society. Lee Hup Kheng knows this well and uses it for his cartoon entitled And behind me is the famous Michael Fay's cane. Lee drew a group of tourists looking at a cane stored in a glass box, with a guide explaining that it is the cane used to whip American teenager Michael Fay in 1994. Fay was convicted of vandalism by the Singapore Court.

A collage cartoon made by an artist from the Sarana Adhi Yasa Studio is interesting. It depicts a scene from a soccer match. The uniqueness of the scene is that all the players are actually a collage of cigarette butts and the sky above the soccer field is black from the smoke. The cartoon criticizes, albeit in a humorous way, the smoking habit and refers to cigarette manufacturers who often sponsor soccer championships.

A powerful satire is produced by a cartoon from Budi Ryanto. In a very fine black-and-white line drawing, Budi drew an old woman lighting an oil lamp, while behind her is drawn a flash of lightning, which is also the symbol of the state-owned electricity company PLN.

The cartoons on display from Indonesia represent, in general, some form of protest. Almost every sphere of life can be drawn into a cartoon, whether it is about the environment, politics or education. Indonesian cartoonists displaying their cartoons have proven their great talents and creativity. Senior cartoonists like G.M. Sidharta, of the Kompas daily, T. Sutanto, Priyanto, Pramono and Sudi Purnomo show their good quality and entertaining pieces. Those representing the younger generation and lesser known are also promising a good future in Indonesian cartoons.

However, cartoons are not yet popular among Indonesians. One indication is that only 360 cartoons were submitted to the national cartoon competition. Cartoons have yet to play a greater role in the country and should get more attention from all. (als)