Photograms show a tribute to photography pioneer

Photograms show a tribute to photography pioneer

By Gotot Prakosa

JAKARTA (JP): A dormant cultural "enclave" on Jl. Tanjung No.
34, Menteng Central Jakarta called Wisma Lingkar Budaya has been
reactivated.

Led by Toeti Haeraty, a prominent intellectual, the center is
now provided with a preview room for film/video programs and a
gallery for photography or fine arts exhibition.

A unique photography called photogram is taking place at the
gallery until today (Thursday).

Unlike the conventional photography, photogram does not use a
camera to take pictures. The work is made by way of illuminating
the object on the photo paper. The production process is similar
to that of the silk-screening. The difference in the medium used.

The silk screening employs paint to form the images. In
photogram, the images are formed by way of illuminating the
objects Onto the photo paper and the illuminated part will be
scolded black when it is developed using chemicals. What is left
on the paper is the silhouette of the illuminated objects.

Depending on the light's penetrating power, the object on the
paper will create different black and white images of different
tones.

For photogram makers, creating photos without a camera is a
great challenge. It will allow them to do experiments in the
darkroom to create works worth exhibiting. They can create
photograms that symbolize certain messages to express their ideas
on social issues.

Among the greatest photograms on display are our works by
Antonius Efendi. Every piece has different social messages.
Titled Ya...Ya...Ya..., Meooooong, Dua Kubu (Two Camps) and
Terkepung (Besieged), each sizing 50cm by 60cm, all the four use
elements available in daily life: a shred of mosquito net, satay
stick, condom, syringe and women's panties.

Efendi means to raise the issues of sex, drugs and the tug of
war between the status quo and reformist forces.

While Nugraheni Pangestuti and Maya Sofia exert their painting
ability to create visual elements and they printed the images on
paper.

The works of Siti Wahyuni is rich in variety and well
presented. She features gentle, soft and hard elements for her
artworks. Her piece titled Tumbuh (Growing) and Kehidupan (Life)
is presented with four uniquely arranged frames.

Most of the works of these students of photography is full of
symbols, hints and icons.

All works on exhibit are all exclusive and original because
they cannot be duplicated. This is the basic difference between
photogram and the conventional photography, which uses negatives
that allows unlimited reproduction.

Participants of the exhibition say that the event is in fact a
tribute for W.H. Fox Talbot, the man who in 1839 introduced the
first photo paper the Royal Society, London. Talbot called the
paper "some account of the art of photogenic drawing". He meant
that the painter no longer needed a pencil to draw the natural
objects on the paper.

Talbot began his photography experiment by doing contact
prints that produced copies of leaves, bird feather and laces on
silver nitrate and chloride applied on a piece of paper. After
Being illuminated, the paper was dipped into the solution of
ammonia mixed with potassium iodide.

The spirit of the invention of the paper is worth remembering.
It has greatly influenced graphic techniques in the course of the
development of fine arts. Now, in the turn of the 21st century,
the art has become classic and challenging for further
exploration.

Photogram is a portrait of honesty. Compare with the modern
photography, which intricately develops along with digital
imaging technology. The advanced computer technology allows
unlimited creation.

The artworks of the photography students are commendable as an
effort to pay tribute to Talbot's invention.