The solitary bechak drivers of Solo city, Java.
I am always impressed when I see people who can sleep almost anywhere
without worrying about other people’s presence.
I think that sleeping in public is a very private and personal act.
When I approach these sleeping bechak drivers I feel a certain reticence.
It is a though I am entering a stranger’s home and walking
into his bedroom to photograph him while he is in the intimate sleep position.
With this series, I would like to show that the bechak driver is a human being who like all of us needs to rest his weary bones.
After his work shift, the bechak driver will sleep in the cramped space of his cart while the client sleeps in the intimacy of his home.
without worrying about other people’s presence.
I think that sleeping in public is a very private and personal act.
When I approach these sleeping bechak drivers I feel a certain reticence.
It is a though I am entering a stranger’s home and walking
into his bedroom to photograph him while he is in the intimate sleep position.
With this series, I would like to show that the bechak driver is a human being who like all of us needs to rest his weary bones.
After his work shift, the bechak driver will sleep in the cramped space of his cart while the client sleeps in the intimacy of his home.
These men live lives of solitude.
Most spend many weeks or months in the city of Solo, returning home once in a while to see their families.
They wash and shower at the local public toilets.
Traffic, Passer byes, Street noises.
Nothing stops the tired driver from resting his sore muscles.
Nothing stops the tired driver from resting his sore muscles.
They sleep in their cramped space.
«Dead to the world», like babies.
«Dead to the world», like babies.
Their hands and feet carry marks of their years of hard labor.
At night their bechak becomes their bedroom.
Neither wind nor rain prevent the bechak driver from working.
People, market produce, mattresses, you name it, the bechak driver will pedal it to its destination.
Some men decorate their vehicle with personal objects or embellish them with paintings.
Many of these men have been bechak drivers all their lives.
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MODUS OPERANDI :
I travel the streets and alleys of Solo by bicycle.
This way when I come across a sleeping bechak driver I can easily park my bike not far from the bechak and walk around looking for the best angle. I take my time looking at the scene. I do not rush and snap pictures then run away. I can spend 15 to 20 minutes taking different angles of the subject. Many times there are passerby’s or shop owners that stop and examine what I am doing. They can see that I am not being obtrusive and many encourage me with a smile to continue my work. It happens that a few times the driver wakes up. I look at him and ask if I can take his portrait. Some agree while others are too sleepy to respond. A few days later I will return with an 8x10 print of his portrait. |
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