Three young photographers on Independence
Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
For three Indonesian photographers, Paul Kadarisman, Keke Tumbuan and Timur Angin, all born in the 1970s, Independence Day in 1945 is remote and must be pondered and understood.
Each photographer took a different approach to independence, although feature young urban people as their subjects.
Paul Kadarisman, 31, took his friends, young people in Jakarta, to visit the National Monument (Monas), where dioramas of the archipelago's struggle to independence are presented.
At the historical monument built by first president Sukarno but later used by second president Soeharto as one of his propaganda tools, Paul's friends exhibited a laid-back manner in spite of the supposedly patriotic atmosphere.
"These pictures are a subtle satire about the interaction between young people and a political space. They do not look like a group of depressed school children on a typical study tour," Alex Supartono, the curator of the exhibition commented on Paul's works.
"To the contrary, they look comfortable because they have come without a specific agenda and have chosen what they want to enjoy," he added.
Keke Tumbuan, 28, also photographed her circle of friends who are in music bands under independent or "indie" labels.
Keke, who studied photography at Fotoakademie Amsterdam, used a pocket digital camera to capture the daily life of the "indie/independent" band people.
"Keke's works always evolve around her daily life, both thematically and technically. She tries to blend her private life with her works, expression with creations," curator Alex said.
Timur Angin, 27, offered a different approach in most of the pictures he exhibited for this event.
His display started from his photo inventory from his work as a stills photographer in the new movie Gie, which is about the student movement in 1966.
Based on the still photos, Timur, who showed his refined technique, made a series of new pictures to pair with each Gie picture.
For example, he paired pictures of players from Gie, who played student activists in 1966, with 1998 student activists.
However, according to the curator, the picture that wrapped up Timur's understanding of independence was of a student at Jakarta Arts Institute (IKJ), sitting comfortably on a motorbike, wearing sunglasses and a large piercing earring.
"He represents a generation with no boundaries, that endure no pressure in the creative process. They are oblivious to regulations, free, and don't have the need to think about complicated things," Timur said.
Pictures of these Indonesian photographers are displayed side by side with three Dutch photographers, namely Nancy Lee, Jeroen Hensing and Jacqueline Gillbert.
Curated by Astrid Hermes, the Dutch photographers also displayed pictures with the same theme: Understanding Independence.
The Understanding Independence, on display at some photo galleries in Jakarta last week, will be exhibited again as part of "The Future of The Past" photo festival from Aug. 31 to Sept. 14 at the National Museum.
The festival highlights old pictures of Indonesia after 1945, taken by renowned Dutch photographer Cas Oorthuys. On top of that, it will also display pictures of the Mendur Brothers, some of the country's early photographers, who founded IPPHOS photo agency.
The Future of The Past Aug. 31 to Sept. 14 Museum National Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 12 Central Jakarta