Garut, Light upon the Light: "My Indonesia" Photo Series (9)

GARUT – 20 September 2016 

Garut is an area surrounded by green hills, among rice fields. 

I was there to realize a photo session in collaboration with a very dear friend of mine, editor of a very famous Islamic fashion and culture magazine in Indonesia, "NOOR", and a fashion designer friend of her who was born in that area. 

We left Jakarta early in the morning. Our idea was to do something different from the usual studio photographs, but to go to the kampungs of Garut, in the green of its hills, among the people of the markets, to see their reaction with the models wearing the splendid and refined clothes of the designer Irna Mutiara. And since in Indonesia I am known as the kampung photographer, we joined forces to create this photographic service. 

I had a lot of fun, especially seeing the amazed faces of the people at the market. We took over 200 photographs, and in the evening – very tired – we returned to Jakarta while it was starting to rain. 

GARUT – 20 September 2016 

The next morning, I knew of a terrible news. The evening rain has became unstoppable all night, increasing in intensity, causing the terrible flood with 34 dead, 19 missing and 1100 people who lost their homes. Just in the same places where we made the photo shoot. 

It was a shock to me: I wanted to bring joy, amazement and beauty into kampung, and at night came darkness and death. 

This photo shoot I dedicated to the victims of Garut. 

The article was titled "Cahaya di Atas Cahaya" ("Light upon the Light"), citing a famous verse from the Koran dedicated to An-Nur (the Light). 

Garut (formerly Garoet) is a hill resort near Bandung, in West Java. 

In colonial times, Garut was known as "the Switzerland of Java", two hours from Jakarta. 

Garut was well known before World War II, being a hill station for the Dutch elite of the region. The legendary film star Charlie Chaplin is said to have visited Garut twice. He is reported to have visited in 1927 and 1935, staying at the Grand Hotel Ngamplang in Cilawu region, a hilly resort around 3.4 kilometers from the city center. 

Models: Aulia Hakima & Rikma
Fashion Designer: Irna Mutiara 

Editor: Ade Nur Sa'adah
Location: Garut
Kampung Cirapuhan – Market
Kampung Cilanjung – Village
Kampung Saapan, Madrasah Ibtidaiyah – School 

Majalah "NOOR", edition October 2016

Video: Banjir Bandang Garut

READ ALSO:

• My Indonesia 
• Relativity of Human 

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