An interesting addendum to the Rarindra/McIntosh affair
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at 03:31PM For those of you who been around The Landscapist long enough, this just in - Atmawarin from Yogyakarta, Indonesia left this comment on some of the issues discussed in Jonathan McIntosh ~ a different kind of Jakarta landscape and Rarindra Prakarsa. For those of you not familar with the linked topics, it's worth checking out before reading these comments from Atmawarin -
I'm from Indonesian just like Rarindra. And come along with that, I hope my comment could add new perspective about what Rarindra intent.
Indonesia is huge. Even me (who have travelled arround 20 islands or more-yes islands) still felt unfamiliar with this part of the globe. Some part of our country were expansive, with jungles and sheer tall mountain, panoramic view and its sturdy silent people. But some part were dark, full of garbage, smoke and noisy people get killed. Those two world in one country were not mixed together. They were seperated. And when they were seperated, it's nearly impossible to have a clear focus on your eyes to capture Rarindra intent.
To speak the truth. In Indonesia, Me and my generation hold a great dissapointment in goverment-that act like a thieve. One thieve goes down but another thieve elected. They were people that have most responsible on what Johathan McIntosh capture in Jakarta. Poverty.
While some people get permission to exploit our country (and its you who live in "the west") from the thieves. There some part of our country that remains the same. Freeze by the time. Those part are part that I told you before. Expansive, with jungle and sheer mountain, sea, panoramic view and sturdy people. In this part of Indonesia, people are not concerned with computer, Mother Theresa, celluler phone or striptease. And as you can see in Rarindra portofolio. They were happy. That's not myth happiness.
Me and my generation still struggle to fix poverty in this country. But hence..there's a lot of time when we were felt very sad about what happened in our country. Mad And loose the spirit to change the way our goverment rule. Tired on corruption and lazy people.
When that times come, looking in some Rarindra's photograph give us good feeling.
Still. Rarindra may dont have any clue about what he has done. I think he's just want to make a beatifull portrait of Indonesia and represent it in dreamy way. The reality sure is not good as the photo. But looking at his portofolio give me sense of pride. We love this country. And will do something to make it remain loved.
Call it third world fake realism. But for me it worth something.
publisher's comment: Atmawarin, thanks very much for heart-felt response. It adds a wonderful dimension to the topic.
Featured Comment: Mary Dennis wrote (in part);"...this is one of the reasons I love the internet. What Atmawarin has written provides a great deal more context to consider when looking at Rarindra's images ... I was particularly drawn by his next to last sentence: 'Call it third world fake realism.' Fake realism...."
Reader Comments (3)
Gee, this is one of the reasons I love the internet. What Atmawarin has written provides a great deal more context to consider when looking at Rarindra's images. I'm glad he took the time to add some illumination. It appears your blog is being widely read Mark.
I wanted to add that I was particularly drawn by his next to last sentence: "Call it third world fake realism." Fake realism.
Thank you for posting this.