Cartoon exhibition brings humor and insight

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)