0 Young artists capture decaying beauty of Bali

There are many ways for academics, artists and activists to arouse people’s awareness of the environmental damage the island is currently facing. A number of young, talented and concerned photographers have been trying to do exactly this by capturing the crumbling beauty of the island’s countryside, damaged for years to make way for various massive tourism developments. 

Bearing the theme “Bali Not for Sale”, several young photographers grouped in the Bali Photo Forum discussed four pictures depicting some exotic destinations in Bali — Pandawa Beach, Badung regency, Nusa Dua and Tamblingan Lake in Buleleng regency. One picture is of Pandawa Beach surrounded by steep cliffs where four boxes filled with four bird nests were placed. “The bird nests are usually used by farmers from Tampak Siring in Gianyar to invite more birds to the nests,” said Vifick. 

He exposed the bird nests as the objects of his photograph to criticize the development of tourist-related facilities in the area. “The development of various concrete buildings in the midst of the pristine Balinese countryside has shown greed and disrespect for the environment,” he said. Investors have already divided plots of land for the construction of hotels, villas and supporting infrastructure on the once-virgin sites. At both Tamblingan and Buyan lakes in Buleleng, North Bali, investors have already ruined the serene lakesides and transformed them into a riot of villas and hotels. 

Tamblingan and Buyan lakes have, since time immemorial, been the island’s major water resource, as well as being highly sacred places for Balinese Hindus. Uncontrolled development around the lakes has reduced their water levels due to sedimentation and reduced the water catchment area as large tracts of the lakeside have been covered with concrete buildings and paved paths. All of the photos being discussed reflected accurate evidence of the island’s massive tourism developments, many of which have led to environmental degradation. 

Previously, Vifick produced a series of documentary projects for an environmental awareness campaign in Malang, East Java. The photographers captured the life of people living along the riverbanks of the Brantas River, the province’s longest river. “During the first week of documenting, we took shots of slum areas along the smelly, dirty Brantas River, which was filled with garbage.” The photographers displayed their documentary work to the local authorities and the residents to stimulate their awareness on the importance of cleaning the river and their surroundings in order to create a healthy and clean living environment. 

“In the second week, people had already got the knowledge they needed on how to change their daily habits by cleaning up their houses and the river,” he explained. Photo documentary works in this case functioned as a strong reminder, and potential campaign vehicle, to push people to do their best for their environment. Komang Adi, a young environmental activist from Sukawati in Gianyar, urged both the local authorities and investors to implement more environmentally friendly projects. “Tourism will only benefit local people if it is managed wisely.”

source : bali daily