Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Come to our exhibition!

On September 22, our exhibition about the Back to the Villages project will open at 19.30. We are thrilled that Erasmus Huis in Jakarta agreed to this exhibition. It will include textiles by weavers depicted in my book, Legacy in cloth, Batak textiles of Indonesia and photographs of the Back to the Villages project.

MJA Nashir has just finished the poster for the exhibition. Here it is!

If you can make it to our exhibition, please do come! Also to the opening night which will be concluded with the delicious, traditional Erasmus Huis meal.

Saturday, August 06, 2011

Nashir's Egg

August 6, 2011. It is an important day. MJA Nashir has finished his book about the Pulang Kampung project which I initiated last June. He was the project filmer/photographer and it has been my blessing that the project entered his heart. In his book he has documented every step of our journey in colourful and compelling detail, the most important travelogue in both of our lives. It is entitled Berkelana dengan Sandra, Menyusuri Ulos Batak.

Today Nashir leaves his home in Pekalongan and travels to Yogyakarta where he will work out the last details of the editing and also the layout and printing of the book. The published version is due to be launched at the opening of our exhibition about Proyek Pulang Kampung in Erasmus Huis, Jakarta, on September 22. Just a short 6 weeks away.

MJA Nashir’s book represents a year of dedicated, single-minded effort. He has worked non-stop, producing chapter after chapter, 18 in all. He has worked idealistically, driven by his need to share his vision with his readers, fellow Indonesians. He has a message. His book will convince every reader of the importance of keeping cultural heritage alive.

Nashir has earned no income during the time that he has written the book. He has run entirely on his inner resources. They are clearly vast and powerful. He is a man who lives by his principles because life for him would otherwise be faded and unhappy.

I wish MJA Nashir Godspeed. A special, intensely deserving person on a landmark mission.