Photographers get intimate in month-long exhibition

Photographers get intimate in month-long exhibition

M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Roland Barthes, one of the chief formulators of semiology, the
study of forms by interpreting the societal role of signs and
symbols, said in his most celebrated book, Camera Lucida, that
what makes a photograph great was when the subject lent herself
to the photographer.

Looking at his mother's old pictures, Barthes said: "She
placed herself in front of the lens with discretion."

For some photographers, this can be accomplished by having
their family members, close friends, lovers or those who are
comfortable enough to have their pictures taken in intimate
circumstances pose for them.

Thanks to this approach, visitors to a photo exhibition
organized by Oktagon Gallery have the luxury of seeing images of
the country's most famous female writer, Ayu Utami, (gasp) in the
nude, or relaxed photos of anchorwoman Desi Anwar, among scores
of pictures of the friends and loved ones of participating
photographers.

These pictures and other intimate portraitures produced by
some of the country's top fashion photographers are on display at
an exhibition aptly titled The Loved Ones at the Alila Hotel
between July 2 and July 14, and at Oktagon gallery from July 15
to July 31.

Intimate photos of the celebrities apart, a large portion of
the photos on display are of the fathers, wives, lovers and
children of the photographers.

Upon entering the lobby of Alila, where the exhibition is
being held, visitors are greeted by photos shot by Nico
Dharmajungen, who seems to be fixated with somber women.

Contrary to the main theme of the exhibition, some of his
pictures look like those printed in glossy fashion magazines. The
only portraiture that evokes intimacy are the photos of Nico's
son.

Next to Nico's works are photographs shot by Tora
Sosrowardoyo, which beam with intimacy.

One of the most compelling images in the exhibition is one
titled Ina and Shaista Mayapada 4.7.1999. The Ina and Shaista of
the title are Tora's wife and second daughter, and the picture
depicts, almost mythic-like, the birth of the daughter.

Taken in a maternity room, the black-and-white photo shows the
newly born Shaista being raised by a doctor from the surgery
table, while the mother lies helpless under her.

The baby glows with bright light, looking almost biblical.

"It doesn't matter how many times it may have happened, in my
case only once before, there is the same shuddering realization
of how `incomplete' man is without having acknowledged the power
of the unseen and cursing those who forsake their mothers," Tora
writes in the liner notes for the photo.

Tora used the same technique to similar result and effect for
the photo 04.04.1988, depicting the birth of his first child.

Sitting next to Tora's photos are intimate pictures of Ayu,
shot by Erik Prasetya. In one series of photos she is accompanied
by a cat.

"Pop culture often associates women with cats, the two most
loved subjects for photographers, and I wanted to explore further
the association in visual form," Erik said.

The result is not voyeurism, as the author was neither showing
or hiding herself. Rather, she just threw herself in front of the
camera and actuality ensued.

Photographer Darwis Triadi opts for carefully choreographed
scenes to describe his admiration for his father.

In his photographs, Darwis glorifies his father's career in
the military, almost jingoistic in tone, by taking pictures of a
young actor in military fatigues confronting his inner demons.

In one of his pictures, Darwis takes a watery shot of the
actor, wielding a rifle, standing in front of a church with a
cross hanging over him, with a cheesy line that reads: "Going
forward to eternity with head held up high."

Echoing Barthes, the exhibition's initiator, photographer
Firman Ichsan, said in his opening remarks that: "Photographers
have done their job well if their pictures summon a new reality
in the two-dimensional works."

Photo exhibition The Loved Ones ran until July 14 at the Space
Lounge at Alila Hotel, Jl. Pecenongan Kav. 7-17. It will also be
held from July 15 through July 31 at Oktagon Gallery, Jl. Gunung
Sahari Raya 50A, tel. 4204545 ext. 201; fax: 4202900; email:
foundation@oktagon.co.id