On January 9, 2009, photo exhibition “Mata
Perempuan” was formally closed. There were eight
photographers who had participated in the program—
Aiko Urfia Rakhmi, Christina Phan, Evelyn Pritt,
Ruth Hesti Utami, Julia Sarisetiati, Keke Tumbuan,
Malahayati, and Stephany Yaya Sungkharisma.
They are photographers from the group of Mata
Perempuan (Female Eye). The exhibition was curated
by Oscar Motuloh showing Around 25 works of
photography had been presented, showing a variety
of approaches. They graced the space of Galeri
Cipta III and Galeri Oktagon, from December 2,
2008, to January 9, 2009.
As one of the events of the Comprehension
Zone of Jakarta Biennale 2009, the exhibition tried
to unveil the problems that would emerge if the
city was built by ignoring its citizens. When the
human beings were forced to adapt themselves to
the city structures—instead of the other way round—
spatial problems might emerge.
This time, the group Mata Perempuan had been
challenged to show the female subjectivity in
addressing urban issues. Observe, for example, a
surrealistic work by Yaya—the hand emerging from
the noodle bowl or the mouth that merges with a
shower head. Or view Evelyn Pritt’s reportage on
the city—focusing on the skyrocketing land price
and the fact that there are actually many vacant
lots in Jakarta. Hesti also used a distinct approach
of playing with symbols—a bandage, a symbol of
pain, is wound around three faces looking toward
the cold concrete forest of Jakarta.
Beside the aforementioned works, there were
still other works to be openly interpreted by around
300 visitors to the exhibition. Many stories had been
shared in the exhibition, alongside a range of
questions, inputs, and comments from the public.
Perhaps the female stories on the city presented in
this exhibition have been concluded; but certainly
there are still many other stories to be explored
next time.
Aside from this exhibition, Jakarta Biennale
2009 will also present the exhibition of “Territories
and Boundaries” with Farah Wardani as the curator,
presenting works young Southeast Asian photographers
under the age of 35. The exhibition will take place
on March 28 to April 11, 2009, at Galeri Cipta II,
Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Complex. (Irma Chantily)