Kids turn their lens on Jakarta

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