The Cultural Anthropology Student Association (KEMANT) organized the “Antro
Jalan-Jalan” event as part of the lead-up to the Ethnophotography Exhibition. This event is a
joint initiative of the Media and Information (Medinfo) and Interests and Talents (Mikat)
divisions. “Antro Jalan-Jalan” is specifically designed for undergraduate and graduate students
to explore the lives and cultural dynamics of local communities firsthand in the Kali Code area
of Yogyakarta. Students are invited to document social realities and create in-depth visual
narratives centered on the theme of “Third Place.” In anthropology, the concept of “Third
Place” refers to open social spaces that exist between the home and the workplace or school.
The Kali Code area was chosen because, amidst the dense residential neighborhoods, the local
community actively creates various social spaces where they gather and build community.
Examples of these social spaces include coffee shops, angkringan (street food stalls), parks,
and places of worship.
The Antro Jalan-Jalan series will be held in three phases from mid-September through
early October 2026. The first phase began on September 19, 2026, with an opening session and
a presentation on ethnophotography by the course instructor and local figures, followed by
independent field exploration and a brief discussion. The second session took place on
September 26, 2026, focusing on in-depth visual exploration in Kali Code and refining the
themes for the participants’ works. This entire exploration series officially concluded on
October 3, 2026, with an intensive discussion session with the instructor and technical
refinement of photography techniques. During the photography process, participants were
given the freedom to use a variety of photographic devices, ranging from digital cameras and
film cameras to cell phone cameras. After all “Antro Jalan-Jalan” sessions were completed, the
curatorial and artistic teams proceeded to the work alignment phase in October 2026.
The culmination of the entire program is the Ethnophotography Exhibition, scheduled
for November 2026. This exhibition features a unique street exhibition concept that utilizes the
alleys, streets, and lanes around Kali Code as exhibition spaces. In addition to the visual
exhibition, the culminating event will feature a discussion session with faculty advisors, guest
speakers, and the artists themselves to explore the meaning behind the ethnophotographic
works on display. The series of events will conclude with a photo auction aimed at reducing
exhibition waste, with the majority of the proceeds distributed as honoraria to the participating
artists.
Author: Aisyah Alya Muztahid
