Speaking out about democracy through photos

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.