The lot of RI women in eyes of their peers

The lot of RI women in eyes of their peers

JAKARTA (JP): While many Indonesian women celebrate Kartini
Day by wearing the traditional Javanese outfit kebaya, as Raden
Ajeng Kartini used to wear, one group of female university
students have another idea. They are marking the 120th
anniversary of Kartini's birthday by displaying photographic
works on the various aspects of life of Indonesian girls and
women.

Entitled Indonesian Women, Dreams and Reality, the 12-day
exhibition, opening tonight at Cahya photo gallery, Menteng
Plaza, Central Jakarta, displays 160 black-and-white pictures.

Organizer Louretta Nadya Simson told The Jakarta Post on
Monday, "We just want to illustrate the reality of what Kartini
once dreamed of."

The subjects of the photos vary, including schoolgirls and a
pilot, the leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
Megawati Soekarnoputri, senior journalist S.K. Trimurti,
prominent designers Poppy Dharsono and Ghea Sukarsa, press
photographer Rini PWI, film actress and director Jajang C. Noer,
senior actress Leila Sari and rally driver Rally Marina.

All of the pictures were taken over the past three months.

"Some of them were taken by newcomers to photography,"
Louretta said.

Their fellow male students helped with the transportation and
installment of the frames for the photos, she said.

"The pictures are all taken by women," she said proudly. "This
is not a discrimination but one of the ways Indonesian women
celebrate Kartini Day."

Taken by 35 photo hobbyists grouped in Photo Enthusiast
Students Association (HMPF), the photographs are displayed in the
form of single shot and photo essay.

They are also being offered to visitors at prices from Rp
500,000 (US$58) to Rp 1.5 million each.

"We'll publish a book of the photos shortly after the
exhibition," Louretta said.

The 35 photographers are students from 13 universities and
colleges in Jakarta, including University of Indonesia, Atma Jaya
Catholic University, Trisakti University, and Jakarta Institute
of the Arts.

HMPF currently groups 100 photo enthusiasts from 20
universities and colleges.

"It is our second exhibition. The first one was on the reform
movement held jointly with our male members on last Nov. 16,"
Louretta said.

The third exhibition is scheduled in commemoration of the
country's Independence Day on Aug. 17. (bsr)