Yori's photos a loving tribute to old buildings

By Aendra H. Medita

JAKARTA (JP): Traces of the legacy of history found in old buildings and architecture are recorded in the extraordinary pictures of photographer-cum-architect Yori Antar.

His camera explores the details of his subjects, revealing all that they are -- their almost human-like qualities of strength and arrogance -- through deeply moving images.

His subjects are wide ranging, from Cirebon's palaces and ancient temples in Central Java, to stations and old buildings in Jakarta, Bandung and several other cities in Indonesia.

Yori's Indonesia Heritage: Bold and Beautiful, at the TC Gallery in Kemang, South Jakarta, until Aug. 20, stunningly conveys the artist's deep comprehension of the meaningful silence of the historic buildings, based on his 20 years of experience both as a photographer and an architect.

His photographs, mostly black and white, are full of subtle meanings.

Yori has used photographs as a form of documentation since his university days when he recorded Chinatown in the Senen triangle.

"The presence of old historic buildings always invokes special sentiments and love inside me," said Yori.

Most interesting is that his photographs are not mere documents, but highly esthetic works.

A strong essence exists in each photograph, as can be seen in the photo of Villa Isola, located in Bandung, which was taken from a gap between the trees. It is a sharp essence that can be found in photographs of the National Archives in Jakarta, Bank Mandiri, the Pertamina building, the gates of one of Cirebon's palaces and many other photographs.

It is Yori's conviction that these buildings are part of a culture that should be preserved, and their aura and soul are lost whenever the buildings are sold and their function changed.

Each of the buildings has a "soul".

"The city with a soul is a city which grows in appreciation of its heritage and history, unlike a city with a cluster of new, soulless and awkward skyscrapers," he said.

As a solo exhibition on architectural photography, Indonesia Heritage: Bold and Beautiful has the merits of a documentary, with depth and boldness.

Another strength of Yori's work is the unusual choice of subjects, details and angles which in turn amplify the solidity and arrogance of the buildings.

This is a moment of freedom in interpreting the documentational style of architecture, mostly photographed vertically and horizontally, presented in uniquely different frames.

It is not just another simple expression of the faces of old buildings, but rather architectural photographs imbued with a genuine, deep meaning of love.