Following the City Through Sketches

Muji Harjo, 'Ngejaman Kraton Yogyakarta', mixed media on paper, 30 x 42 cm, 2007

Sketches and Photography Exhibition ‘MATA-MATA JOGJA’
Jogja Gallery, Jalan Pekapalan No 7, Alun-alun Utara Yogyakarta
3 – 18 November 2007

FOLLOWING IN THE CITY THROUGH SKETCHES

Mikke Susanto-Curator
Exhibition Participants: Denny ‘Snod’ Susanto / Deskhairi / M. Alfairuzha Hasby / M. Fadhlil Abdi / Masriel / Muji Harjo / WM. Hendrix

At glance, the sketches are similar to simple drawings of objects. But if we look at them in details, those drawings or drawn objects are such previews and documentation illustrating the recent situation of Jogjakarta. They are of a city with unique character entering by the edge of a change. The cycle of the change is not only rooting in the terrain of its human life but also relating to the natural change. It is probably affected by the earthquake hit the city a year ago and the way of thinking of the community members inflicted by another civilization ilfiltrating in the spaces and city planning of Jogjakarta as well.

These likely trivial pictures cover a thousand of memories to any one in fact. In the middle of this appalling change, the unavoidable turmoil, and uncertain situation have given rise to an awareness to carry out documenting in the early time. Furthermore, we have to set up things within the change itself. We have to move forward, create a new civilization. Furthermore, we have to get ourselves settled on within the change itself. It is important to be noticed that we hold local values and documentation of the glorious past. Therefore, sketches ―instead of photography– become the very effective simple ways to reach the aim. One of the points to be stressed in this exhibition is that sketches and photography are proper to be put together as the vital instruments to life documentation. It is very reasonable to have this sketch exhibition The Eyes of Jogja arranged jointly with the photography exhibition Objective Paris at Jogja Gallery.

Through these simple works, we will see “a visual diorama” represented in the media of pencils, pens, Chinese ink, and water colors on papers. All of the sketches displayed in the exhibition room (some of them are printed in post cards) have a function to trace the last situation of Jogjakarta. They are of many kinds of things shown; the old historical buildings (there are also the photos of old buildings in Jogjakarta for a comparison), spreading rice-fields in a village, life portraits, plants, traditional weapons, and some traditional meal available until today. They are the works of the young artists staying and living in Jogja for years. With the academic capacity they have when studied sketch at ISI Yogyakarta, I dare to say that their works are good to be apreciated.