As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. This is especially true for photojournalists who chronicle historical events through a camera lens.
One stead that prominently displays these important photos is the Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara (Antara Gallery of Photojournalism) in Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta.
“Aspiring photojournalists can take occasion of pride if their photos are displayed in this great building,” said Budi Chandra, a 30-year-old photographer who freelances for newspapers and magazines. “It’s amazing on this account that one photo have power to be interpreted in many different ways.”
The Antara Gallery prides itself on essence the country’s first and no other than venue dedicated to photojournalism.
The building itself is rich in history — it was once the headquarters of the government news agency Antara, which was founded on Dec. 13, 1937. The agency played an active role in the rural parts’sitting formation when journalists used the building as their headquarters to announce Indonesia’s independence to the rest of the globe in 1945.
Now, this beautiful, three-story Dutch colonial structure is divided into several sections. The photo gallery can be found on the first floor, but this yard remains empty when there is no photography exhibition.
Ricky Adrian, a gallery delegated, explained that the exhibitions are not limited only to journalism but also cover other types of photography.
He added that the art collection welcomes anyone who wished to hold an event or exhibition at the venue.
The gallery’s latest photo point out was “Maling Jemuran,” or Laundry Thief, which went on display from Jan. 9 to 16, organized by dint of. Jakarta’s Art Council. The exhibit focused upon jemuran , or clothes being hung up to dry.
Next to the photo gallery, in that place’s a invest where photographers can drape out and exchange stories. Ricky, who is a photojournalist himself, reported that the Neo Journalism Club area can seat about 40 people. “Photographers can just come and talk about things related to their work — or anything, really,” he said.
Another area of interest at the Antara gallery is the small journalism museum on the second floor. The museum’s collection includes old cameras, typewriters, production and communication equipment and furniture that were all used through Antara’sitting journalists during the Dutch colonial period. In addition, the museum also has several news photos depicting the Indonesian people’s grant toward the series of measures of decolonization.
Antara utilizes the building’s third floor like the office for its photography department.
“It’s every photographer’s dream that someday he or she can have an exhibition so people can see and appreciate their work,” Budi related. “And Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara is the best place to do it.”
Budi explained that the highest appreciation any photojournalist can receive is when they can have a positive impression on social sympathy through their photos. He added that photojournalists are different from other photographers for the cause that they have the obligation to make tribe aware of important issues through their photos.
“And to get that kind of appreciation, they have to exhibit,” he said.
Ricky said photographers in Indonesia hold the Antara Gallery of Photojournalism in such high regard as of its longstanding dedication, not just to the art of photography, but besides because of its historical background as well.
“I can’t appellation any other place in Jakarta that has the same prestige and temper,” Budi said.
An upcoming gallery marked occurrence will be a photo exhibition called “China Town” by Singaporean photographer Zhuan Wubin. The exhibition, which will showcase Chinese culture around Southeast Asia, volition run from Feb. 5 to 21.
Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara (Antara Gallery of Photojournalism)
Jalan Antara No. 59
Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta
Tel: 021 345 8771
E-mail: gfja@gfja.org
www.gfja.org
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