Richard Oh

The Jakarta Post   |  Tue, 03/11/2008 10:08 AM  |  Firm Favourites

Richard Oh has been in a “funky mood” in recent months. He has things to do – most notably a film script to finish  – but the author-cum-bookstore owner-cum director (Koper) admits he has been procrastinating.  He has dealt with upheaval in recent years, with QB bookstores – a place where book lovers could browse at will without disapproving looks from staff – closing down in 2006. Now the father of three is enjoying his comfortable, leafy South Jakarta home, surrounded by his most prized possessions: his dogs, music (Amy Winehouse and James Blunt at the moment) and, naturally, his beloved books: they spill out from the shelves in his cluttered library to form mini mountains on the floor.

Kindness
I read this beautiful book called The Kindness of Strangers.  It compiles all the stories of journeys abroad, where people are in deep trouble and bump into a stranger who lifts them out of danger and then disappears. For me, one of the great things of travel is you meet people who become your friends. Meeting new people is all part of the adventure; it breaks down the stereotypes.

iPod
I love traveling, and when I get on a plane it provides solitude for me. I put my earphones on and I’m in a different world. I love music; although I don’t play any instruments, I love experimentation in music.

Books
Growing up in North Sumatra, I always used whatever money I had to buy from a book club. I would wait for those packages to arrive. In a small town, books opened up my world. I chose Tuanku Rao as my favorite. I was at a book bazaar and I stopped by one stall and there were a few books, including this one. I heard from friends this was a rarity, it was published in 1965, about the arrival of Islam in the Toba area. I asked the man at the stall how much it was and the guy gave it to me. He said, “I know you and that you love books. This is a gift from me to you.” It was a great gift.  

Dogs
I’ve always had a dog or two in my life. It’s only in the last two years that I have really gotten into them. They sometimes bring frustration to my life, but they are great companions and fun to be with. It’s fun to see how patient they are with humans.

Cappuccino
It’s the first thing I wake up to in the morning. There is something about a steaming cup of coffee in the morning. It allows you some lead time to wander into things you left behind the night before. Coffee and a cigarette are my way to start the day. My dream is to have a big cappuccino machine – the kind that hisses and sends steam out.

Films
Apart from books, films were the other thing I loved growing up. I don’t think I liked myself so much, so it was an escape! I used to go to this movie theater near my home in Medan, the films were not really for kids and I would sneak out of the theater before the lights came back on.  My favorite is Funny Games by Michael Haneke; [director] Joko Anwar introduced me to it. It starts out as an ordinary day and everything gets completely whacked. I love movies that don’t just entertain you, but give an angle on life and truth.

Creative Designs
My mother was always interested in design, so I think I got interested in it from her. I am not interested in perfection, but how everything comes together as one, like in this Chinese figure.

+ Bruce Emond

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