In this DIALEKTIKA Photo Exhibition, it was fascinating to see how dialogue, conflict in eternal reality and personal change, were retold as a personal narrative through the photographic visual journey of Flora Rikin. Each image felt like we saw a different side of Flora as it showcased a dialogue with nature yet it truly was a dialogue with herself. Using fine art paper with a traditional, Washi, Japanese base, and a finely textured surface to print the photos gave the photos a new outlook.
It took one year to create and curate this exhibition as the Curator, Andang Iskandar wanted to portray Flora’s photos in a different light. An exhibition that will also showcase Flora’s understanding towards herself. During the curating process, Andang asked Flora to choose a different set of photos from the normal colourful ones she shared on her social media and photo books. Photos that portray another side of Flora as a person and an artist. Flora normally acted as a “messenger”, sharing her photos without taking some time to reflect on the photos she captured.
At first glance, all the photos in the exhibition seemed desolate despite the beautiful landscape scenery. Yet, each photo had an object as a reflective moment be it a tree, a house or even herself and in two of the photos the scene portrayed conflict.
Throughout the exhibition, I enjoyed adding a touch of colour by capturing people and how they perceived the photos including the occasional smiling selfies. As a hobbyist photographer myself, this exhibition has motivated me to understand and reflect on the idea behind the process of capturing moments. Many times when capturing what comes to mind is the moment but it is very rare after taking the photo, to self-reflect more on why we captured the moment. Was it part of a certain impression or an emotional exploration?
Dialogue is part of our daily lives, through conversations of stories, narratives, and tales that are received and conveyed as a way to understand oneself and reality. Likewise, photography, with its ability to record and reproduce reality, often becomes a medium for conveying stories, narratives, and personal narratives. The photo work becomes part of what will be narrated by the photographer, and is the result of a dialogue process, a conversation between them and their photo, their viewers, and themselves. By using visual elements in photography, a photographer can capture the different sides of a person’s personality and engage viewers in contemplating the complexity of contradictions and changes in human nature. – Andang Iskandar (Curator)
To me, photography is a method for conveying love by recording occurrences and immortalizing the moments that communicate love for nature and the holy. It elevates the mundane to the exceptional, showing the subtle vibrations of adoration for the Creator and Mother Nature’s equilibrium. – Flora Rikin
If you are a photographer or a photo enthusiast or even appreciate various forms of artwork, visit this exhibition at Cemara 6, Toeti Heraty Museum. The exhibition ends this weekend 27th January, 2024. Try to spend some time in the exhibition to admire each photo and reflect on the narratives.
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