Dramatic, almost abstract photos of natural disasters in Tropenmuseum

Deadly, catastrophic disasters. Tsunamis, earthquakes, mudslides. People and the manmade landscape swept away. From 18 March to 24 July 2011, Amsterdam’s Tropenmuseum presents dramatic astonishing photos by Indonesian photographer Oscar Motuloh. In a series of almost abstract black-and-white images he portrays the void that disasters leave. The conspicuous absence of people, the cultivated landscape desolate and destroyed.

Oscar Motuloh: “When I took these photos I witnessed the ruthlessness of nature. The images give Tropenmuseum visitors an opportunity to reflect about universal natural disasters. When you see the images you feel for a moment what the survivor of a disaster must feel: you survey the destruction. The disaster comes frighteningly close, it is impossible to avoid.
Whether they are natural disasters or tragedies caused by human error, Mother Nature dishes them out and they are inescapable. We try to harness nature’s power, but the reality is different. In general, we are suddenly overpowered and overwhelmed.”

By showing abstract photos, the disaster acquires a universal and timeless quality. Oscar Motuloh photographed in Indonesia, but the photos could have been taken anywhere. While Motuloh began as a photojournalist, he developed from the purely factual recording of raw news to more philosophically inspired photos; from informative and objective identification to subjective and reflective investigation.

Some disasters remain
The exhibition also shows how some disasters have a continuing impact: mudslides that occur year after year and keep destroying. New disasters that take place. Complete villages were swept away near Surabaya on Java by a mudslide caused in 2006 by an immense borehole made by Lapindo gas company. The mudslides continue to this day. This is not about a past event; it is about now and the future\.

Focus on consequences
Destructive catastrophes constantly shock the world. First the media focuses on the suffering of the victims, yet that soon subsides as journalists turn to the next news story. In his photos, Oscar Motuloh draws the viewer’s attention to the consequences: he shows a deserted, abandoned world without people. What now?

Importance of sustainability
The Tropenmuseum presents this exhibition because these pictures bring global problems and disasters into closer focus. The stories behind the photos say something about the importance of sustainability and the need for international solidarity, themes that correspond closely with the mission of Tropenmuseum and the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT).

More about Oscar Motuloh
Oscar Motuloh (b. 17 August 1959, Surabaya, Indonesia) began his career in journalism at Antara News Agency in 1988: his first two years as reporter, then as photojournalist. He is self-taught. Today, he manages Antara Press Photo Agency while also working as photojournalist. In addition to teaching photography at various universities in Indonesia, he has organised photo exhibitions, seminars and workshops about photography. He has also published a variety of photo books. He is regularly invited to sit on competition juries, and to curate exhibitions in Indonesia and other countries.

About the Tropenmuseum
The Tropenmuseum presents, researches and encourages knowledge about and exchanges between cultures. It offers a wide and varied audience a perception and experience employing every museum medium: exhibitions, collections and expertise, publications, a historic building, educational and other activities. The Tropenmuseum tells its narrative using ethnographic and cultural-historical objects as well as contemporary art.

The museum of the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) is active internationally in the field of culture and development. The Tropenmuseum is supported by BankGiro Loterij.

Tropenmuseum is open daily from 10am to 5pm
Open on 24 and 31 December until 3pm
Closed on 1 January, 30 April, 5 May and 25 December.

Note to editors
For more information please contact Tropenmuseum, Nanja Ruiter, T +31 (0)20 5688422 or e-mail: n.ruiter@kit.nl.