'A Political Pest Intimacy: Tikus-Tikus Korupsi'

So as you guys might have known from my instagram(@reinhardtkenneth), I joined an exhibit not long ago. I am really thrilled that this exhibit is to celebrate Surabaya’s Anniversary. The event is called Festival Foto Surabaya, and is actually the very first and the biggest photographic party. The exhibit being filled with talk shows, owl, and performance art along the week. I am so proud to see my exhibit, and the best part of it being my piece scattered around the main stage in the middle of Grand City. Honestly, the little apple-eating, ambitious, artsy boy in me is just highly excited. Being Indonesian, I’ve never really gained the exposure locally. I mean, my achievements and my art are usually exposed to other countries(Canada, Italy, England), but never really appealed so much to my country.

The controversy, or the style of shoot I do may not really be what the mainstream here in my country accepts. I’m glad I don’t play by the mainstream borderline, how I expose both the beautiful and the bad, the bad and the ugly. I find beauty in everything, sometimes in the least common places. With concepts that just, run, and float around my head. Many might appreciate more the beautiful, colorful, fashionable pictures that I take in the beaches of Maldives. The true heart, however, the true artistry, lies within the murk, the monochromatic contrasts on the pictures I take.

This piece, fortunately, passed the judges’ curation. I was overjoyed when I heard the news, apart from the fact that I was about to see Divergent after the e-mail was sent to me, the fact that they were like two days late delivering the good news, at first, dimmed the optimism in me. I am, however, up till today, still proud of this piece. This one “tingling” and “disturbing” piece talking for a great cause can shine with it’s brightest light.

'A Political Pest Intimacy: Tikus-Tikus Korupsi'

Anyways, I shot this photograph back in 2013 with one of my favorite models, Garry Digorry, with his amazing cheekbones and eye stares slaying the audience – screaming out an impression like “do you wanna get ‘dirty’” in the least appetizing way. Being filled by, literal dirt, which are rats. Honestly, rats are the only species I loathe. Just imagine me squealing, and screaming a bit when the rats are all over him. Garry definitely has what it takes to be a model-----literally. Oh and did you guys know he is one of L-Men’s Semi-Finalists? Slay right?

Apart from the glitz and not-too-glam shoot, I shot this for a purpose. This piece and another was exhibited at school for a political campaign, campaigning with a point to have the heart for the country and to eventually end corruption. I was never really interested in politics until a while ago. I guess passion drove me to my passionate feels on politics. The fact that I am frightened to be forced to join the military by upcoming regulations, towards an anti-globalization country, and to be driven onto a Chinese-loathing country(which is, by the way, where my roots mostly come from) got me onto politics. I’m taking standard level Bahasa Indonesia at school, which is supposed to be my “mother language”, and I am blessed to have been introduced to many topics regarding towards politics. A while ago I read an entry by the fabulous Mitha Komala on her blog regarding her views on Indonesia developing onto a better country and how we, as citizens, should help make a change. I am writing in English because The Photographic Sense is in the world wide web, and I would like everyone to really know what is really happening to this beautiful country, and so that their prayers will be passed along towards a better Indonesia.

Just in time with my “passionate on politics” sort of feels, I turned 17 a while ago with a costume party(you can see it on my previous post). Honestly, I couldn’t feel better than finally being legal. I get to cast a vote, and my voice is being put onto consideration towards a better Indonesia. I’m not going to campaign for who I’m voting, even though it may be obvious with my views on a must onto giving equality the supremacy, but I’m not campaigning for anyone. The two candidates have their plus and minuses, however one thing they should not possess is……….

The idealism of corruption being a key

So, unfortunately, one of the cause in Indonesia’s downfall is corruption. A mind that always craves for money, to always put money above everything, a mind that never feels enough. A mind that always will search for wealth, and not consider anything. That the best way to do something is if it gives the particular person a lot of money. A mind so corrupted and concentrated by money that it dares to corrupt. To not give a single damn about what the country is going through, and to laugh away and float with the clouds with an amount of wealth that may fix the country’s economy. This culture has been scattered around many sectors. Many gaining a huge amount of income, from the lies and the greed, just to fulfill themselves. This culture harms and poisons the country to the fullest.

Now, just imagine. How the “upcoming” leaders(or preferably CAPRES) are everywhere these days. Some on the streets, some on TV, some on the radio. Imagine how much the advertising costs. First of all, environmentally, it is unethical as printing like hundreds of huge banners of cheaply photoshopped images with smiling CAPRES-s. I mean like, the fact that just by advertising for the people’s votes, they are already causing newer problems, unfortunately a global problem, is just, wrong. Secondly, the cost they use to make all of these adverts are actually really expensive (as I’ve read from a reliable source), and by God, it actually is more expensive than like the income of a President. So, in order for them to “get” their money back is then by corrupting taxes, and unfortunately, corruption WILL happen again, thanks to these narcissistics. Apart from the corruption problem, I highly support a President who believes in Pancasila. In the belief that all citizens are equal. To practice and demonstrate love and acceptance, and to erase prejudice between races and religions. Indonesia, we may be different, but we are a unity. We are one, and no one can ever change that. A true leader will only strengthen the bond. Hatred only corrupts the country, the way the corruptors have ruined the nation.

So, citizens of Indonesia, no matter what skin color, religion, or gender you are. Pick a leader who CAN help make the change you want for Indonesia. Change will come, it’s just that, it can lead onto a better, or a worst nation. I want all of you to take a moment and think not just for yourself, but for the ones you love who are under the Indonesian citizenship. To the old ones, think about the next generation, how your kids are going to face the change, and to the young ones, think about how your future may depend on this change. Remember to always practice love and equality to the nation, regardless of what religion they belong to, what race they come from, or what gender they are. None of us can choose to be in a particular body we wish for. Remember to not hate the country, but support a change for it. Remember that this country needs you to end the corrupt of the rats.

What if art ruled the world?

Would people still corrupt?

I believe not. They’d eventually take the altered values and make a new movement.

We citizens of the artistic mind should always fight for what is true in our mind.

Today, I fight with the rest of the sane for a better Indonesia. Vote for your FUTURE.

-Reinhardt Kenneth, The Photographic Sense

Hey Unions! Wow umm..I think i might've sounded much more serious and well-realistic than I've ever sounded right on this post. Well, I just wanted to stand for a cause here. The exhibit was a blast, got people looking at my print all like "dude are those rats real?" or "ew" or "gross" or anything alike. Some also went like "dad that's the guy from my school". Well, I'm really glad this piece got really interactive with people's minds. Am hoping for even more exhibits for The Photographic Sense and altogether just the love towards art I can exhibit. Oh and if any of you came to the exhibit and saw my print, drop a comment about it! Btw, I'll be going to Bali on the 14th-18th and Lombok on the 18th-21st so If you happen to see me, say hi! I love you all UNIONS! Thankyou to my family and friends who came with me during the exhibit. You guys are seriously the very best!

#TPartyS

Hey UNIONS! So as you guys might have known from my last post, I held a special private party for my 17^th party!. I decided to make things crazier this year than the previous years because, well, me and my friends, we just love to run from reality and party!. Anyways, so I decided to throw a costume party in a Karaoke! Which turned out to be pretty fetch!.

Make It Like Your B'day Every Day! #TPSBday

G’day Unions,

So since tomorrow is my PARTY, I am dropping something party-related which are random facts you may know or may not know about me. These are completely random and basically a strand of my life being depicted in fun facts about me.

My party is a week late, since last week my friends had to go out of town to this school trip thing, so I decided to postpone it. But the thing that I learnt is that, your birthday could be everyday, it could mean anything, and I'm the one in charge to define whether it's a good birthday or a bad birthday. I want to surround this year with so much positivity that I could reach a higher ground in my career and life as a photographer. And that as long as I have the ones I love with me. It's like my birthday, every day. 

1.        I first started The Photographic Sense as Reinhardt (cross) Kenneth Photography and it was basically pretty…bad

2.         I personally think that Iggy Azalea is a lot better than Nicki Minaj

3.       My favorite fruits are: watermelon, strawberries, and oranges

4.        2NE1 and Big Bang are the only two K-Pop groups I can listen to

5.        Whilst to that, I only listen to one Indonesia singer which is AgnezMo

6.         Favorite Movie: Mean Girls, Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2, and The Great Gatsby

7.         Favorite character off Mean Girls: Cady Heron, duh.

8.        I personally think Beyonce is the QUEEN of the World

9.         I almost recorded my first song: Angels, in 2013

10.                Kelby is my best friend since 5^th Grade, no joke.

11.                I’m proud for already making my own money since I was 15.

12.                Favorite photo shoot would be Masquerade Ball: The Untold Stories of The Artistic Womb and Harvest Moon

13.                First magazine feature: Estela Magazine

14.                First Issue on a magazine: Catharina Avellia in Royals

15.                First PhotoVogue photo: Playtime Is Over featuring Kelby

16.                I always wanted to photograph Cara Delevigne, Maria Tiffanny, Sky Ferreira, and Lana Del Rey.

17.                Gypsy is the anthem of my LIFE

18.               I hate mainstream basics

19.                 Haley Williams is the prettiest band vocalist

20.                 I knew Lana Del Rey, Imagine Dragons, and Iggy Azalea before they were cool

21.                 I run to Applause in the gym

22.                 Black Widow is better than Dark Horse.

23.                 All of my apple products are cracked

24.                My unrealistic dream is to become the president of the world big time

25.              My baptist name is Paul.

Royals

Is it better to be Love-Oriented, Money-Oriented, or Art-Oriented?

Ezmia: A Villainous Perspective

What if Cinderella’s stepmother had a rough childhood? What if the Evil Queen lost a lover? What if The Little Mermaid’s deal is just another cultural offense?. I believe that, a villain possesses the same qualities as the hero or the heroine, and due to that in the end of the day, the bad guy is a bad guy because their story hasn’t been told yet.

We Can(Cer) Cure!

“The reality is, sometimes you lose, and you’re never too good to lose, you’re never too big to lose, you’re never too smart to lose, it happens, and it happens when it needs to happen. And you have to embrace those things.” –Beyonce Knowles (Self Titled Part 2. Imperfection).

The quote above already describes my whole mood particularly after a submission towards a particular magazine. Somehow I seem to, lose a lot, on the beginning of each year. I’m however, embracing it as much as Beyonce is embracing that new weave and booty.

Here are the pieces.

1.      1.The World In My Hands

I believe that strength can lead to power, to the ability to speak out and almost control the world in the most fabulous way. To liquefy what you wear and what you believe in. In wearing the best red cloak and looking your best even with the softest colors, brightening up the edge. In being a powerful individual even though the world may alienate.

2.     2.Duplicate The Strength-Cells

Cells divide, duplicate itself towards cell walls, this is how cancer spreads, as the cancer cells just spreads the destruction little by little. I believe that when the cancer cells duplicate, an immunity in the form of strength, a physical yet psychological factor can spread and withstand the factors that overcome the individual at first, making the survivor a winner.

3.     Androgynous

I decided to promote both sides of masculinity and femininity through this picture. I hate how stereotypically my messages always may only appear to support the women as it is a fashion shoot celebrating the power of the female. As a male, I also feel the sympathy towards male survivors. I believe that everyone is a warrior against every single kind of cancer.

4.     4.Alien

This piece directly aims onto breast cancer survivors, already demonstrated by the pink ribbon and the breast covered. I believe that being alien, being against the world or different is beautiful, but that moment is a moment of strength, a moment where you can mark your own territory and just be, FLAWLESS.

5.     5.Upside Down-Downside Up

Cancer, I believe, is a factor that changes lives. But we can always go in reverse, when everything seems, just wrong. I believe its only a matter of perspective, we can always do the exact opposite. Believe that whatever happens before was bad and now is good. See the good in everything, find love in the darkest places. Believe in the paradox of living.

6.     6.Chemotherapy

This process is where all the hair falls off due to the heat, but I’m trying to show how the shape may change but beautifully the heat comes marching in, forming power, forming a realization that everything will be alright in some sort of ways. A process of curing, of cancuring-from the cancer. My favorite piece on how the flare of a generation can light up from inspiring stories, to be a monument to the ones inferior to themselves. To love themselves.

However, I got published for another magazine, which basically redeems the lost I have to go through. I realized that, losing has to happen when it needs to, and that you have to remain proud and strong, because the loss is what makes us champions. There is no utopia or dystopia in life, I believe. There’s always a light grey in black and dark grey in white. You will ALWAYS have those flaws that defines your art.

Since I believe my art has grown onto it’s maturity, a particular phase I believe grow and meets itself in one point I believe it does, it’s not again about how good you are, it’s more on how, is it acceptable to their particular taste. It’s an equality of just being, who you are inside, the composition of photography works like that, and I believe no boundaries are supposed to NOT be broken.

Perfection does not mean flawless. Flawless, however, means imperfection to me. I know the statement above may seem ironic as flawless means no flaws. However, the way I see it, the flaws makes a picture flawless due to it’s imperfection. It makes an image less perfect, or more like, more interesting, holding more meaning and live.

I woke up like this

I know this post haven’t sounded too, awareness-sounding as I was talking about my personal experience above. Now, let’s take a moment and think about every person we met on the streets today. Isn’t it fascinating, and scary, how one of them maybe in a suicidal phase where no one could encourage them, and whether one of them just got a promotion, and how one of them is fighting cancer and makes the most of his or her own life?.

I believe that cancer exists for a reason, like everyone else. I personally never had any experiences of me or a part of my family who is fighting cancer. However, if you are fighting cancer, I’m just going to say this sentence to you.

“Never ever ever let a factor of your life define who you are, overcome it, be superior to it, and fight it to your fullest, then your survival will inspire, because you are bigger than your disease. Wake up Flawless, Don’t Let The Flaws Of The Day Affect You. End Up The Day Flawless”.

This portfolio is dedicated to the strong ones, to the ones fighting every single thing their life fights, to the ones who suffer from diseases which seem, impossible to beat. The diseases that seem to take away someone’s age, to limit them from growing older. The factors that forces them to make the most out of their lives. Sometimes, Heaven surely can’t wait for some people. It takes an immense amount of guts to just defeat cancer, but it takes love to fight it throughout till the very end.

The reason I used a bald-manipulated model is that, since the mood board incorporated many bald elements, I decided to play with fire. I’ve always had the fascination with the oval-roundness of the human head. It’s just so uniquely strong, a mold breaker, but in the same time, almost like an egg, like humpty dumpty who fell from the wall. I believe that everyone should have the chance to vomit out their mind, their ideas in being strong. What if the person who knows how to cure cancer doesn’t get the chance to speak out and fits in the ordinary? What if the person who knows how to cure cancer doesn’t receive enough education and dies in poverty somewhere in the world?. I believe that ideas come from strength, from power, and from glory.

I believe that the best way to finally die is to live as a legend, to live as a teaching and a blessing to the ones in the state of living, to help them go through their days, through their weeks, then months, then eventually years, decades, even millenniums. To be an inspiration to the ones thinking they’re not good enough, or smart enough, or brave enough, or even pretty enough. To break the boundaries of what society offers, the superficial judgmental world, lingering in the back of our minds. This is what we should fight to break boundaries, to live to the very fullest.

I’ve always been a boundary-breaking fashioned individual, but what I am referring here is different from my mainstream. Sometimes, some of us find it a blessing to have a long life, with no threats of the limitations of a short life span that we live everyday like it’s just another day to kick back and enjoy the day, while the ones that don’t have too much time left tend to make the most out of their lives. This is what I am aware of, our age isn’t determined or classified by the (previously mentioned) supposedly inferior diseases. Some people tend to just keep count of their time span in misery, which may lead onto depression and well, an unfortunate ending. I believe that, diseased or not, we should live everyday like it’s our last, no matter what happens, tomorrow may be there or not, but is a new day.

In the end of the day, Cancer is a fight, it’s a call of nature for the ones STRONG enough, to be an inspiration to the rest of the world, for the ones who can survive in the bloodstreams of their fingertips, the ones who may end up dying in the fight PROUD, and definitely, the ones who are POWERFUL and DETERMINED, HISTORY makers who will make a change in the process of finding the cure and forming a better, loving, caring world.

This post may be mislead to a negative way, but what I’m just trying to say is just that, the awareness I’m trying to spread is being aware of, are you really alive or not. I believe that it’s not the quantity of time spend which is important in living, but the QUALITY. Whatever faith you believe in, the afterlife seeks for the factors you performed in living, and in the end of the day, living life to the fullest, staying happy, and to love basically sums up the jewelof living---the jewel of the tye dye halcyon.

“Everyone Dies, but Not Everyone Lives” –Jessie J (Gold)

THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SENSE

We Can(Cer) Cure!

PAR.Reinhardt Kenneth

Model. Nadia Nathania (GlamRockLady)

MUA/Hairstylist. Shelley Sebastian.

TPS Travels With Garuda Indonesia & Resort World Sentosa - Singapore Skyline

Hey UNIONS! How are you guys? So since my first 2014 post is basically a compilation of last year(which was ages ago, this post was intended to be posted in January but since I’m really busy with submissions and assignments, so yeah), which could be viewed as a recap, I wanted to do something that really shouted out the term of January 2014. So as you guys might’ve found out from my Instagram, The Photographic Sense is once again travelling to Singapore!. However, this time, things are a bit different, because this trip is all thanks to Garuda Indonesia that gave me a free ticket and a voucher for a 2 night stay on either Hard Rock Hotel or Festive Hotel in Sentosa as a prize for winning their Blog Competition last year, judged by one of my favorite bloggers, Silvia Siantar off Poise Polish. If you want to read my entry, click HERE.

Anyways, as this is a Travel Diary, this will be a very long read!, let’s get started. I was head over heels excited because since I usually let my artistic side get the best of me, I don’t always hang out with my friends or anything like that since at times, I have to sacrifice it for photo shoots and stuff. The fact that some of my friends are now studying in Singapore, which basically means I get to explore the city the way that I want, at least for a day. The thing is that my dad isn’t a big fan of walking around cities, he’s more of a chilling instead of walking kind of guy. My mom, on the other side, like me, loves sightseeing and shopping around town, however, none of us know the MRT Route and those kind of stuff, so the fact that I got my friends is already a savior.

Btw, I'm travelling with my stunning Mom, Diana(@dianamputri), my beautiful Gramma, Ester, and my Princess-Sister, Aiko(@fairyaiko11)