Speaking out about democracy through photos

Ivy Susanti, Jakarta

For a very tiny segment of Indonesian society, democracy falls short of freedom of speech and self-expression. Some people say democracy is something provided by the government, and the majority of the people constitute the government and policymakers.

Another small group of people, well-educated and perhaps avid readers or couch potatoes, manages to paraphrase "democracy" in a less complex manner. Others confess they have no knowledge of democracy at all.

All these people, who communicate the complex term of "democracy" with apparent confidence, albeit often with an ignorant or superficial understanding, are captured in a series of portraits displayed in the photo exhibition entitled Europe and Democracy: Indonesian Perspectives.

Thirty-one portraits from 16 photographers, most of them beginners, are on display at Galeri Cipta 3 in the Taman Ismail Marzuki arts complex in Central Jakarta. The exhibition will end on Sunday.

The project was commissioned by the European Union and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and was coordinated by Seni Jurnal Photography Workshops. The intention was to reveal how people from different social classes understood democracy and Europe.

Most of the portraits are plainly shot, showing the subjects as they go about their daily routine. Each photograph is accompanied by captions about the subjects' thoughts on democracy and Europe.

Freedom is one essential element of democracy, and most people portrayed in the exhibition share this belief. But what is the value of freedom without the rule of law? Unfortunately, this basic requirement is not captured in the images.

Another interesting point is that people tend to associate democracy with Europe, considering it a Western concept.

Parmin, 68, a street cleaner, is photographed by Agus Setiono while sitting on a street curb. In his opinion, "In democracy, we have freedom to express our opinion and to campaign and to elect our leader without fear of being arrested by the military ... just like in Europe, where democracy exists."

Agus also portrays a becak (pedicab) driver, Djuri, 56, who said, "Democracy is the freedom to speak up, to criticize, like those in Europe."

As simple as they seem at first glance, some of the portraits contain symbolic representations, particularly of distance in an abstract space.

N. Priharwanto captures Parjan, 42, a bag washer, recycling and cleaning plastic bags in a stream while an airplane flies overhead. This photo suggests that the idea of democracy, or the understanding of Europe, may be a passing fancy.

Listen to Parjan's words: "I hope that our leaders will stick to their words that democracy will lead us to a better life. I only know about the European Union from TV, and I am familiar with European soccer."

Another photograph in a similar setting, showing Agus, a 13- year-old balloon seller with a plane flying by, strengthens the impression. "I don't know anything about democracy or Europe," the youth said.

The Indonesian woman is a recurrent subject, although gender does not bear any significance in the overall themes. All the women shown here are working women.

An unidentified female rice farmer, 40, was photographed by Gani Bratawidjaja while planting rice. The photograph, and its caption in which she says she knows nothing about democracy or the EU, leads us to wonder if this woman, forced to earn a living and raise a family at the same time, has the luxury of pondering the meaning of democracy.

Agus Setiono photographs Ijah, 70, a beggar, as she sits on the sidewalk. A cup of money sits before her. "I know democracy as I've seen it during the election campaign and Europe I know is a very far away place from here," she said.

Soccer has been a unifying force all over the world. Akang, 37, who was photographed by Insan Kurniawan in front of his food stall with his son, said: "I don't really understand democracy. I just want peace. Let the government officials think about democracy, people like me just wish we could work in peace. What I know about Europe is its soccer, they play great!!!"

Edward Tigor Siahaan of Seni Jurnal said that all the photographs were produced by assignment.

"They are not purely photographers' reflections. But the photographs are portraits of Indonesians and their thoughts, we don't manipulate them. This project serves as an appreciation for us, because the European Union is willing to use our ideas for their campaign," he said.