An ongoing photography exhibit has revealed many contrasts in the lead up to the recent presidential election. The exhibit, held at Bali Museum in downtown Denpasar, is featuring 55 works from 17 photojournalists grouped under the Bali Photojournalist Community, and runs until Aug. 9.
The participating photojournalists are Firdia Lisnawati (Associated Press), I Gede Eka Adhiyasa (Bali Post), Iwan Darmawan (Bali Post), Made Nagi (European Photo Agency), Yudi Karnaedi (Bali Post), Lukman Siswo Bintoro (Daily Telegraph), Yuda A. Riyanto (Nusa Bali), Ade Marboen (Antara news agency), Nyoman Budiana (Antara), Miftahuddin Halim (Radar Bali), Johannes P. Christo (freelancer), Adrian Suwanto (Radar Bali), Komang Sutrisna (Denpasar Post), Stanny Angga Pradipta (freelancer), Komang Suryawan (Denpasar Post), Zul T. Edoardo (The Jakarta Post) and Eden Pratama (Bali Express).
Most of the works were created during the campaign period prior to the July 8 presidential election. Some of the images reflect the ironies of that period with the condition of many of the island's residents differing starkly from the rhetoric of the candidates. One poignant example is presented by Miftahuddin Halim in his work "Teruskan" (continue), the campaign slogan of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The work shows an SBY supporter wearing a shirt emblazoned with the slogan, "*I* dined on nasi jenggo". Nasi jenggo (a parcel of boiled rice wrapped in banana leaves) is one of Denpasar's signature dishes and one of its cheapest. Miftahuddin clearly send a visual message focusing on the fact that as the country's elite lead a life of luxury, the common people continue to live on minimal incomes.
"The meaning is simple: Continue the Suffering," exhibit curator Joko Sugianto said before breaking into laughter. Joko is one of the island's most senior photojournalists and is widely respected by peers and juniors.
Scores of works on display are photographs of children seen in various situations during the campaign period. Election regulations clearly forbid the involvement of children in any stage of the political process, and yet this hasn't stopped many campaign participants from taking their children to political gatherings.
Zul T. Edoardo's work Bintang Tiga (Three Stars) presents another strong contrast: a poor fisherman supporting Jusuf Kalla's candidacy passes in front of a Mercedes Benz sedan carrying Kalla to a fish market in Kedonganan.
"This exhibition showcases a diverse array of powerful and beautiful photographs that reflect the skills and professionalism of participating photojournalists," Joko said.
The exhibition is intended to function as a medium of cooperation for the island's photojournalists, exhibition organizing committee head Yudi Karnaedi said.
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