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Self Discovery by Redundancy of the Established.
A photographer’s reflections in the process of an art collaboration, with ManButur Suantara.Written by Dian Dewi Reich
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
When I first had to write the introduction to Manus, a Conscious Journey, it was difficult to capture it in a concise summary. What makes us human? There is no one answer. Through the collaborative process of Project Manus, we explore themes related to human ‘awareness’. A capacity in humans that likely sets us apart from other living beings.
Every artist in Manus (Made Kaek, Tjandra Hutama, ManButur Suantara, Dibal Ranuh and Dian Dewi) provides a step in the narrative. Much like a chapter in a story. From the primitivism of our baser instincts that we face in Made Kaeks’ creatures, we move to the next chapter visualised by the photographic digital mosaics of ManButur. Titled Human Imprints and Sacred Mimicry. Amongst this, there is one piece that stands apart, a mixed media titled Imperfections.
Human Imprints and Sacred Mimicry
ManButur Suantara suggests that ‘what makes us human’ (when we take aside our physical and biological development), is formed by an infinite amount of constantly changing factors in our environment and interactions. They are like each a separate element we absorb from moment to moment that shapes us through time. We learn things through mimicry and this combination of imitation and constant change compels us to evolve and fulfil many roles throughout our lives. ManButur shares some of his thoughts behind the works in Manus, a Conscious Journey.
ManButur on the Process
“From the time humans are an embryo and as the baby’s birth progresses, their character will continue to form through the senses, through a natural learning process. This continues throughout our lives. You can say that throughout a person’s life, they enact many different roles.” ~ ManButur
A Mosaic of Moments
“Human Imprints and Sacred Mimicry are photographic works that use the mosaic technique. Where a series of collaged photos are put together in one frame and form a picture that becomes one point of interest.
Human beings instinctively will seek safety and comfort to continue to live. In this process, human beings develop characteristics and each behaviour will be different depending on the place and social position of the person at that time.
One person has the potential to encompass more than 100 characters.” ~ ManButur
“A woman can be a mother, a wife, a sister/sister-in-law, or an aunt in her house. In the workplace, they may be an intern, teacher, school principal, or specialist in their chosen field. In Bali’s community activities, they are often part of a women’s association in the banjar, or a traditional dancer at an event at a temple. For a man, the same applies. He may be a father, uncle, or husband. In the office, he may be an employee or manager. A fisherman, farmer or the head of a large organization. In all these positions, human beings will ensure they use which characteristic is most appropriate to fulfil the role they are in that ensures their version of survival.”~ ManButur
“When a man or woman performs a dance at a temple event, a dance that represents a character. They may change their character to embody the spirit of the dance being performed.” ~ ManButur
Image: Spirit of Legong by ManButur
“In this mixed–media photography work, I collaged over 2600 photos. Each photo is a unique individual image, a frame in time. There are no image repetitions. Representing the activities of people. Every moment is unique and unable to be duplicated. Different activities in the images also represent different characters people play in different places and phases of their lives.” ~ ManButur Suantara
Self Discovery Through Unexpected Redundancy
During the exhibition at Sudakara Art Space, I noticed many people standing here for longer periods, captivated by the apparent simplicity and then by the implication of the details they began to see within the work.
Manbutur, as a multi-dimensional photographer has a wide scope. With a technical expertise that is multi-faceted. Possessing a reputation in photography that is built on technical mastery of the craft. From landscapes to wildlife to commercial architectural and macro genres, this is the portfolio of this photographer for nearly twenty years.
In previous collaborations, his open willingness to leave behind the conditioning and parameters of his visual expression is perhaps a hidden and modest strength of his creativity. I have on occasion read the words, ‘You have to master your craft to be a specialist in your work but genius is to be willing to forget everything you know’.
Natures’ Influence
Perhaps it is from the time spent out in Nature. The patience that is necessary when waiting for the forest and the birds to trust you enough to reveal themselves. Perhaps this instilled a personal perception, that we cannot insist on taking simply what we want. There are many conditional elements bigger than ourselves. A practised role as an observer but with awareness of many other elements. Cultivating an understanding that it is not what we take but what is given to us, that allows our creative breakthroughs.
The time spent as a wildlife and landscape photographer also made a considerable imprint on the artist’s consciousness. When asked the question ‘What makes us human’ I think ManButur was one of the last of us to find a way to articulate what it was he was trying to say. I think he was still trying to work it out himself. And perhaps he found that no one photograph would be able to encompass his thoughts about it.
A Closer Look
In the end, it was over 2600 photographs collaged together in a digital mosaic that was able to articulate his thoughts. It is here that I refer to an ‘unexpected redundancy’. All of his technical skills as a photographer, that of artful compositions, and moments difficult to capture through telephoto lenses. Balancing the sharpness of the subject with the soft blur of the background. White balance, aperture stacking and macro lenses, all of those things that are paramount in his beautiful photography work,.. became invisible and therefore, redundant here.
Letting Go What We Know
Becoming details shrunk down to size so small that it is not possible to appreciate their technical splendour. They were there simply to represent a moment. Why are they here reduced to this? When each image in itself has a value. It is to answer the question, what makes us human?
With all that in mind, we absorb everything from our environment and experiences. All those things shape us, make imprints on us and are part of a much larger mosaic. This human identity is made up of a myriad of facets that collectively form our identity. And yet, if we are not willing to reduce our attachment to each different part, we may not be able to see the beautiful completeness of the overall mosaic.
The Final Piece, a Perfect Anomaly
When nearing the deadline for our works, the last piece made an interesting conclusion to ManButurs’ series. Visually departing from the mosaic technique. A lot more experimental, with direct responses to the image. Imperfections stands apart amongst Human Imprints and Sacred Mimicry.
Using different portraits merged of different individuals, he composited a portrait of a dancer. A girl wearing the Legong headdress, a typical image recognisable for Bali. Similar subjects are often used in tourism campaigns. However, with the dancers’ crowns are made up of alien elements, including rubbish, and waste, both organic and inorganic.
Imperfections, a Message
‘May we gather better-withering blossoms, that whisper dignity even in decay,
Dian Dewi
rather than the pretty perfection of empty skins, echoing our insatiable appetites.
With paint splatters and brushstrokes across the eyes and marking the portrait in a colourful disarray. The message continues from what we learn through Human Imprints and Sacred Mimicry. We are human, absorbing everything around us and evolving, developing our character through all the required roles we enact, whether by choice or responsibility. Yet let us be mindful that we absorb even more unnecessary and wasteful influences from an increasingly polluted environment. Both socially and environmentally.
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