In 2007, the registered Charity - Save the Children, produced an exhibition showcasing children's photography. They called it 'A Child's Eye', Or 'Mata Anak'.
60 Indonesian children were given the chance to photograph their own lives instead of a photographer capturing it for them. I think this is an amazing way to get a message across. When you see these images, you instantly feel more towards them than you would if a 3rd party had taken them. It is a true interpretation rather than a assumed one, creating more power behind what can be seen.
All the children were from homes in 3 districts; Banda Aceh, Pidie and Lhokseumawe. It isn't often that disadvantaged communities get to speak out and get their voices heard. Photography is a way of allowing them to express their feelings through creative mediums. Without this form of communication, they would never have the opportunity to show people what their lives are like and to make people take notice. This project has specifically focused on the care homes in which these children live.
All the children were from homes in 3 districts; Banda Aceh, Pidie and Lhokseumawe. It isn't often that disadvantaged communities get to speak out and get their voices heard. Photography is a way of allowing them to express their feelings through creative mediums. Without this form of communication, they would never have the opportunity to show people what their lives are like and to make people take notice. This project has specifically focused on the care homes in which these children live.
"A Child's Eye is about letting children speak out for themselves in a
world where their voices are not often heard. Giving a child a camera is
a powerful way for them to show what is really important to them. The
quality of the images taken by the children was astounding and we were
really taken aback by the insight and sensitivity these young
photographers displayed" - Kevin Byrne, Country Director.
I have tried to find photographs from this series, and I have even searched for the publication that accompanied it; 'Life in the Panti Asuhan'. My quest was unsuccessful so I don't have any images to analyse and compare with a photographers work. This has disappointed me because it would have been beneficial to study the children's photographs, as I would have been able to see what feelings were provoked and whether or not they had more affect on an audience, as the children are personally and emotionally connected to the situation.
I am not able to see for myself if the children have portrayed a life of misery or happiness. An article I came across in the press section of the Save the Children website, originally published in 'The Jakarta Post' (June 18: 2007), comments on the photographs as 'reflecting happiness'. It goes on to suggest that love can form out of unfortunate circumstances and the children are making the most of what they have to generate strong bonds with each other. The fact that they are all sharing rooms and have a shortage of food, is not casting a shadow over them. Of course the situations are not ideal as the children have no parental support to back them, but they are not letting this get them down. It shows the viewers that these youths have an incredible strength and the relationships created are a powerful tool for love and happiness. Why do you need ultimate luxury to be satisfied in life. Having people around you to depend on and share with, has to be more than enough for many disadvantaged individuals. They really appreciate the value of life.
The images are in black-and-white as well as colour and the public viewing the photographs, 'might find it difficult to see traces of misery left behind'.
Technical detail isn't what was important within the exhibition, it was purely about giving children the unique and rare chance to 'lend their voice' to the rest of the world and give an insight to the way they see things.
It wasn't just the images that had a massive impact, the children added captions to the photographs. This made them so much more personal and interactive, engaging more with the viewer and tugging on heartstrings.
Before the children were set loose with cameras, a professional photographer; Ng Swan Ti was assigned to them to show them the basics of camera handling and how to take a good photograph. "I didn't train them on the technicalities of photography. I just told them to make a portrait with their hearts. And the result is beautiful,"
The project manager for 'A Child's Eye' believes that photography is the most effective way to express the children's opinions and rights to the world. He wanted to tour the exhibit around many different countries. I think this is a great idea because it raises awareness to many people who may have been ignorant to the issues before. Images are interactive so people are more likely to take notice of them than a written publication.
This project is collaborated with the Ministry of Social Affairs to improve the services for vulnerable Indonesian children.
The initial idea for this project came from photographer Jonathan Perugia. He was observing children in the 1998 Jakarta riots and began to wonder what we would see viewing images of how they see. It wasn't an original concept because there are two known cases of this idea from the Jakarta street children in 1999, and with Dayak children in Sambas, West Kalimantan, from 2000-2001 (A. Junaidi: 2007 - The Jakarta Post).
From this research, I have been able to develop my own ideas a great deal. It has made me think a lot about what activities and exhibitions I will be producing during my charitable event at the end of my MA. Instead of my photographic exhibition being purely dedicated to the images I have taken in India, I am going to talk to Childreach International and see if it is possible to spend an extra day visiting one of their projects with disposable cameras, and get the children to take pictures of what they think represents their lives best. It will generate some amazing results and touching imagery. My exhibition will stand out and people will become more interested in what they are viewing. I need to constantly make sure that I am coming up with fresh and original ideas. As it has only been done a few times to my knowledge, it is still a fresh concept that I can develop to add my own spin on it.
I have tried to find photographs from this series, and I have even searched for the publication that accompanied it; 'Life in the Panti Asuhan'. My quest was unsuccessful so I don't have any images to analyse and compare with a photographers work. This has disappointed me because it would have been beneficial to study the children's photographs, as I would have been able to see what feelings were provoked and whether or not they had more affect on an audience, as the children are personally and emotionally connected to the situation.
I am not able to see for myself if the children have portrayed a life of misery or happiness. An article I came across in the press section of the Save the Children website, originally published in 'The Jakarta Post' (June 18: 2007), comments on the photographs as 'reflecting happiness'. It goes on to suggest that love can form out of unfortunate circumstances and the children are making the most of what they have to generate strong bonds with each other. The fact that they are all sharing rooms and have a shortage of food, is not casting a shadow over them. Of course the situations are not ideal as the children have no parental support to back them, but they are not letting this get them down. It shows the viewers that these youths have an incredible strength and the relationships created are a powerful tool for love and happiness. Why do you need ultimate luxury to be satisfied in life. Having people around you to depend on and share with, has to be more than enough for many disadvantaged individuals. They really appreciate the value of life.
The images are in black-and-white as well as colour and the public viewing the photographs, 'might find it difficult to see traces of misery left behind'.
Technical detail isn't what was important within the exhibition, it was purely about giving children the unique and rare chance to 'lend their voice' to the rest of the world and give an insight to the way they see things.
It wasn't just the images that had a massive impact, the children added captions to the photographs. This made them so much more personal and interactive, engaging more with the viewer and tugging on heartstrings.
Before the children were set loose with cameras, a professional photographer; Ng Swan Ti was assigned to them to show them the basics of camera handling and how to take a good photograph. "I didn't train them on the technicalities of photography. I just told them to make a portrait with their hearts. And the result is beautiful,"
The project manager for 'A Child's Eye' believes that photography is the most effective way to express the children's opinions and rights to the world. He wanted to tour the exhibit around many different countries. I think this is a great idea because it raises awareness to many people who may have been ignorant to the issues before. Images are interactive so people are more likely to take notice of them than a written publication.
This project is collaborated with the Ministry of Social Affairs to improve the services for vulnerable Indonesian children.
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| Save The Children - Panti Asuhan |
The initial idea for this project came from photographer Jonathan Perugia. He was observing children in the 1998 Jakarta riots and began to wonder what we would see viewing images of how they see. It wasn't an original concept because there are two known cases of this idea from the Jakarta street children in 1999, and with Dayak children in Sambas, West Kalimantan, from 2000-2001 (A. Junaidi: 2007 - The Jakarta Post).
From this research, I have been able to develop my own ideas a great deal. It has made me think a lot about what activities and exhibitions I will be producing during my charitable event at the end of my MA. Instead of my photographic exhibition being purely dedicated to the images I have taken in India, I am going to talk to Childreach International and see if it is possible to spend an extra day visiting one of their projects with disposable cameras, and get the children to take pictures of what they think represents their lives best. It will generate some amazing results and touching imagery. My exhibition will stand out and people will become more interested in what they are viewing. I need to constantly make sure that I am coming up with fresh and original ideas. As it has only been done a few times to my knowledge, it is still a fresh concept that I can develop to add my own spin on it.
So my next step will be to send an email to my charity, followed by a
phone call a week later to show that I am serious about what I have
proposed.
"It seems that beautiful pictures and the simple, honest thoughts
of children are less attractive to many Jakartans. On Thursday, when this
reporter visited the exhibit, hundreds of people flocked to witness the launch
of a new cellular phone series. Of those gathered, only a very few took a glance
at the photos."
This isn't something that concerns me too much at this point in time because I will be bringing my photographs back to the UK with me and not trying to submit my message to the civilians on India. From the quote above, there could be a number of reasons why the Jakartans never took notice of the exhibition. 1) They don't think it is necessary for children to voice their opinion. 2) Photography isn't a medium that interests them. 3) The reason for the exhibition wasn't promoted enough or maybe all 3. The photographs need to be directed at an audience who believe children should be heard and want to make a difference, as well as trying hit people who are oblivious.
Are people more likely to take notice if the suffering and variant in equality is active in a different country? Do they pretend there isn't any issues in their own place of birth? I could be completely off the mark here, so research needs to be done to try and find answers to my questions.
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