Galleries

Jakarta Flood 2007-Children of Bukit Duri :

Jakarta Flood 2007-Children of Bukit Duri

Updated: Mar 15, 2009 9:15pm PST

Obama-TV Shoot :

Obama-TV Shoot

Updated: Mar 01, 2009 11:31pm PST

Mythological Stones : Beside the acknowledged religions by the government, there are many peoples who still believe in local religions. These local religions had been existed before the advent of Islam and Christianity in Indonesia. Along the way, these local religions have mixed with some aspects of the acknowledged religions and circumstances around the community. Therefore, the local religions have become unique and have many variants. One of such local religions is Sunda Wiwitan. It is a traditional belief amongst the West Javanese ethnic group (the Sundanese). This belief now has many variants, one of them can be found in Rawabogo village near Ciwidey city, West Java. Located at Rawabogo village, 15 km from Ciwidey city, the peoples believe in a mythological story called “Nagara Padang”. The phrase of “Nagara Padang” consists the word “Nagara” that means “The State”, and “Padang/Ca’ang” that means “shining”. Hence the whole meaning is “The shining state”. This story is still alive and it is symbolized in a number of stones. There we can find an array of naturally built stones which each stone has a given meaning to represent the apparatus of a kingdom. The believers do some rituals in this area to seek for an enlightenment or proposing some special requests.

Mythological Stones

Beside the acknowledged religions by the government, there are many pe ...

Updated: Oct 29, 2008 10:12am PST

Terra Incognita- : Just like in almost places around the world, lesbian existence is not completely accepted by the society. It is also the case in Bandung city, West Java, Indonesia. Things are getting harder for the lesbians there, given the fact that heterosexual culture and values are internalized within the people's mindset. This situation puts them at the place in between, remaining invisible and dare to come out of the closet. With that background, I am trying to capture the way these lesbians, particularly those who have come out, live their life. In my point of view, coming out is an important decision they made and at this point it shows that lesbianism is an irresistible existence; that they are also human beings. This photo series is my preliminary work to capture the world of lesbian in Indonesia.

Terra Incognita-

Just like in almost places around the world, lesbian existence is not ...

Updated: Sep 04, 2008 12:15pm PST

Paradise Lost! : Street Children in Bandung, West Java Indonesia.

Paradise Lost!

Street Children in Bandung, West Java Indonesia.

Updated: Sep 04, 2008 7:46am PST

Onrust Eiland : Episode Sebuah Pulau yang Beristirahat Ia menyenja. Tak ada lagi sisa romansa hari sibuk yang gaduh dengan kapal-kapal berlabuh, legenda benteng belah ketupat ‘Beekhuis’ yang ramai dan desis kincir angin yang dulu menyemarakkan catatan pada lembar harian Onrust. Pulau Tanpa Istirahat itu kini sepi. Sepi yang meninggalkan tetapak kenangan dalam bilur penanda yang menyeruak dengan absurd. Murung namun menyisakan secercah harapan. Terperangkap antara hidup dan kematian. Gelombang Kapal Kehidupan Nelayan Bangunan tua yang terbengkalai Aroma kematian Mereka masih begerak di sana. Terperangkap di bentang kepulauan. Bertahan di antara hempasan ombak yang setia mengaduk lautan. Menjadi rona dari episode tentang Onrust. Sebuah pulau yang beranjak hendak istirahat. Tekst oleh : Ucu Agustin

Onrust Eiland

Episode Sebuah Pulau yang Beristirahat Ia menyenja. Tak ada lagi si ...

Updated: Aug 31, 2008 3:12am PST

Tear sheet of the Book "Suara Anak Korban" : Published on Friday 08-08-2008 by IKOHI (Indonesian Associations of Families of the Disappeared) and The Body Shop Foundation. 76 Pages 18x26 cm.

Tear sheet of the Book "Suara Anak Korban"

Published on Friday 08-08-2008 by IKOHI (Indonesian Associations of Fa ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2008 6:19am PST

Fuel Prices Protest : The oil price increase in the world market has impact on Indonesia. Although Indonesia is one of the oil producer countries but the government is planning to increase the fuel price. This plan sparks many protests in the street, led by the students and Indonesian youth. Despite all the protests, the government still keep their decision to raise the fuel price 28.7 % higher than before.

Fuel Prices Protest

The oil price increase in the world market has impact on Indonesia. Al ...

Updated: May 24, 2008 10:13am PST

May Day 2008 :

May Day 2008

Updated: May 01, 2008 1:27pm PST

7 Days to May Day : 7 Days to May Day, several Labour Union try to make final preparation for May Day event. They check their member readiness and practicing slogan. The labour situation in Indonesia is not getting better, the biggest problem come from the new regulation about outsource labour.

7 Days to May Day

7 Days to May Day, several Labour Union try to make final preparation ...

Updated: Apr 28, 2008 2:11am PST

Transjakarta's Contract Workers Rally : Monday 31st March 2008. Aiming to provide a comfortable alternative for public transportation in Jakarta, it turns out that Transjakarta does not provide proper working condition for its workers. Many of its workers have been working full time to operate the free-flow public buses for years but their status remains contract workers. In fact, with this practice, Transjakarta has infringed the existing Regulation on Man Power, since it states that contract workers should not operate full time, as the permanent employees do. As the result, the contract workers hold a rally to protest this unfair policy. They demand to have their status to be converted as permanent employees.

Transjakarta's Contract Workers Rally

Monday 31st March 2008. Aiming to provide a comfortable alternative ...

Updated: Apr 01, 2008 6:08am PST

Children Gathering : Introduction to Human Rights for children of victims of human rights violation : Many cases of human rights violations remain unsolved in Indonesia. It is still a long way to go. IKOHI (Indonesian Association of Families of the Disappeared), an organization in Indonesia which represents the victims of human rights violations and their relatives, initiates an Introduction to Human Rights Program for the children of the victims of human rights violations. The children are introduced with the concept of human rights and get familiarized with the cases which their parents had been through. The program uses play-and-learn-combined approach that fits the children condition. -

Children Gathering : Introduction to Human Rights for children of victims of human rights violation

Many cases of human rights violations remain unsolved in Indonesia. It ...

Updated: Mar 02, 2008 1:55am PST

The Year of Rat : According to The Chinese tradition, this year will be The year of Rat (Year 4706 on the Chinese lunar calendar). Rat is a small animal but still their are clever. With these thoughts, they hope that this year will bring prosperity. Gong Xi Fat Choi.

The Year of Rat

According to The Chinese tradition, this year will be The year of Rat ...

Updated: Feb 07, 2008 2:12am PST

Portraits-Nikolas Van Dam : Nikolas Van Dam, the ambassador of The Netherlands in Indonesia.

Portraits-Nikolas Van Dam

Nikolas Van Dam, the ambassador of The Netherlands in Indonesia.

Updated: Feb 03, 2008 12:44am PST

Taihen Troupe-The Spirit of Kim Manri : "Howl under the Moon"; the Spirit of Kim Manri !   by Agnes Gurning A mother wolf chooses to eat her child for her own survival. A witch woman abandons her past and wanders in searching for a new abode. A girl, who is so in love, places her faith completely in it. Those are some scenes presented in a dance piece titled "Howl under the Moon".   The "Howl under the Moon" in essence expresses a woman's subconscious desire to live an independent life as her own. Living under a patriarchal supremacy has originated the women's aspiration for liberation.     The idea of women's liberation might sound average for an art performance. What makes the "Howl under the Moon" remarkable is that it is performed by an outstanding performer. There is this lady named Kim Manri, who will present this solo staging. Kim Manri was born in 1953 in Japan, to a Korean artist father. When she was 3, she became disabled as she suffered from polio then.   Since 1983 Kim Manri has delved deeply into physical performances with her unique viewpoint as a disabled person. She uses disabled body to create unique expressions and movements that the 'normal' persons can't do. For her, disability itself can be transformed into a rich source of physical art. "When a disabled body itself turns into expression, the never-seen beauty can be created" she says.   Kim Manri's performances have been appreciated by various figures. Towards the "Howl under the Moon", a fellow artist in Japan, Yoshito Ohno, says  "In recent years, both vigor and tenderness have been found in Kim Manri's dance. When she moves, her soul leaps out from deep within the body. The external and internal elements come out freely with each other. She flowers into the universe itself. An excellence piece."   With some other disabled art performers, Kim Manri established a group called TAIHEN. Kim Manri and TAIHEN have held its performances around the world. This time Kim Manri is holding the "Howl under the Moon" in Jakarta, Indonesia. It takes place in Teater Kecil, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) on January 30 and 31, 2008. ***

Taihen Troupe-The Spirit of Kim Manri

"Howl under the Moon"; the Spirit of Kim Manri !   by Agnes Gurning ...

Updated: Feb 02, 2008 4:34am PST

Personal Exposures : Personal Exposures 2007

Personal Exposures

Personal Exposures 2007

Updated: Jan 19, 2008 3:21am PST

"Ciliwung Riverside" : Ciliwung Riverside is my long term project. It is about peoples living along the Ciliwung river. .....on going project.....

"Ciliwung Riverside"

Ciliwung Riverside is my long term project. It is about peoples living ...

Updated: Jan 18, 2008 11:42pm PST

Jakarta Theater Festival 2007 : Jakarta Theater Festival is the biggest and oldest amateur theater festival in Indonesia. This annual event was conducted for the first time 35 years ago, targeting at the newly emerged theater groups. This year, the theme taken was "Reality and the Theater Stage", participated by 18 groups performing various scripts related to the theme. During the Suharto's administration (New Order regime) this festival was used by the government as a media to control young artists. It was only since 2 years ago, that the organization of the festival was turned back to the Jakarta Arts Council. Hence, the artists tend to choose critical social issues to play.

Jakarta Theater Festival 2007

Jakarta Theater Festival is the biggest and oldest amateur theater fes ...

Updated: Jan 05, 2008 3:08am PST

Experimented City : Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, as i see. On going project

Experimented City

Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, as i see. On going project

Updated: Dec 17, 2007 7:05am PST

Almost Ten Years-Still Hope : 1997/1998 ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE In 1997 a huge economic crisis hit some Asian countries including Indonesia. In Indonesia this economic crisis then led to a political crisis. Pioneered by the student, the people’s movements then emerged and grew everywhere. They demanded the price decrease, procurement of basic goods, and more over, an end to Suharto’s presidency. The movements became bigger in early 1998. This situation was considered danger by the authority. Through its military bodies, they then took measures to ‘secure’ and ‘control’ the situation, including abducting persons deemed as ‘provocateurs’ of the movements. It was found out that a number of pro-democracy activists suddenly disappeared in early 1998. After a quite some time, some of them then surfaced and the rest remain missing. Later, the surfaced victims testified that they were kidnapped by the apparatus and were detained in a secret military camp or police station. In those detention centers, they were tortured while being interrogated. These photo series show the portraits of families of those who are still missing: Widji Thukul (Thukul), Bimo Petrus Anugrah (Bimo), Suyat, and Leonardus Gilang Nugroho (Gilang). The families feel an eternal misery because of loosing their loved ones. However, on the other side, they also have a hope to find whereabouts of their loved ones and achieve justice for them; and this hope is never die. Thukul was a well known progressive poet. His used his revolutionary poems to encourage people to fight. He married a woman named Dyah Sudjirah (as known as Sipon). Through this marriage they have one daughter and one son. After Thukul disappeared, Sipon raised her children alone. To earn money, she became a tailor. She lives in Solo, Central Java. Bimo Petrus Anugerah (Bimo) was a student activist when he disappeared. Although he studied and lived in East Java, he was abducted in Jakarta during his activities there. Bimo left his siblings and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Utomo, in Malang, East Java. His families still have a hope that they will find Bimo one day. Like Bimo, Suyat also was a student activist when he was abducted in his friend’s house in Sragen, Central Java. He was the most intelligent and educated one among his siblings. Suyat’s brothers work as carpenter. His mother has separated from his father. Gilang was a street musician who was also active in the movement. Last time he left home, he asked permission from his mother and told her that he had gotten a job offer in other city. Since then, there was no news about him until his body finally found dead, few days after he disappeared. However, there has no adequate legal process been made to deliver justice over the case. Both of his parents work as tailor in Solo, Central Java. ***

Almost Ten Years-Still Hope

1997/1998 ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE In 1997 a huge economic crisis hit ...

Updated: Nov 02, 2007 12:17am PST

Your Bio

Henri Ismail was born in Jakarta. He studied Political
Science in his graduate study. He learned photography
through night classes at Cultureel Centrum TU Delft,
The Netherlands and attending several workshops in The
Netherlands, Spain and Indonesia. His work varies from
issues such as poverty, street children, LGBT group,
and Human rights.


Exhibition :
- Den Haag Municipality, The Netherlands "The Chinese New Year" 2004.
- GoetheHaus Jakarta ,Indonesia "The Promise of The City" 2007.
- GoetheHaus Jakarta, Indonesia "Mapping Invisible Cities" June-July 2008.

Online Publication :
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2007/2007-08-16-03.asp
http://www.readers-edition.de/2007/10/05/millionen-baeume-fuer-indonesien/print/
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/05/china/your-shot/chinatown-photography
http://www.actnow.com.au/Stories/My_journey_to_end_child_slavery.aspx

"Ten Cents Hotel"
http://enterworldpressphoto.nl/gal_1.php

Inside Indonesia; Ten years of hoping and waiting.
http://insideindonesia.org/content/view/1093/47/1/0/
http://www.lagranepoca.com/articles/2008/11/05/2610.html

KSK IMAJU Magazine vol.42 2008, Japan.

http://www.durant.dk/2008/12/portraits-of-the-democracy-struggle-in-indonesia/
http://www.goethe.de/ins/id/lp/prj/map/exh/jak/enindex.htm
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/18/street-vendors-count-blessings-city.html

Slide show :http://lightriri.webng.com/Paradise Lost!/Paradise Lost!/publish_to_web/


Book :
Aku Tidak Mirip Beliau: Suara Anak Korban, IKOHI 2008, ISBN 978-979-16587-2-0.

Contact:
henri.ismail@gmail.com