Kids turn their lens on Jakarta

In conjunction with the celebration of Jakarta's 476th anniversary, the Sacred Bridge Foundation will hold an exhibition of the works of young people at the Japan Foundation.

According to the foundation's managing director Serrano Sianturi, about 120 children aged nine years to 17, as well as four children from four years to nine, will exhibit 300 works from Thursday to Saturday.

The exhibition is unusual because the photographs were taken from the children's perspectives without adult direction of five places across the capital.

"This will be our biggest exhibition, as these are a compilation of works through the medium of photography," he added.

Ministers and other high-ranking officials are expected to attend Thursday's opening.

The exhibition is part of the 900 performances and events by local and international organized as part of jakArt@ 2003.

To close the exhibition, about 40 participants are scheduled to speak on their concerns about the city.

"Children are the true owners of the future and so we have to listen to their real voices," Sianturi said.

He said they were able to explore the "other" side of the city through their "innocent" observations.

In addition, the participants are encouraged to give arts, dance or music performances to express their creativity on the last day of the exhibition.

Photo exhibition, Japan Foundation, Sumitmas Tower 2, second floor, Jl. Jendral Sudirman, June 19 to June 21, 2003, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

-- Leo Wahyudi S