White sand beaches and luxurious resorts make up the tourists’ view of Bali. Agung Parameswara (@agungparameswara) has a different perspective.
Agung, who was born and raised on the Indonesian island, records the experiences of his fellow Balinese. “Formerly, most Balinese were farmers and artists, dancers, painters, carpenters,” he says, pointing out how many of them have left those trades for jobs in the tourism industry, which arrived in earnest 45 years ago. Through the hashtag #balineselife, Agung is shining a light on people like this porter carrying a sack of cement on a wooden cargo ship or the feet of one of the few remaining “dokar” carriage drivers in the city of Denpasar.
Balinese philosophies, like Tri Hita Karana, or the “three causes of well-being” — harmony among people, harmony with the surrounding environment and harmony with God — are what Agung says tourism is eroding. So he captures the moments he can.
“I understand that change is inevitable and lasting,” says Agung. “Sometimes I feel sad and think, perhaps by documenting something that is starting to fade, someday it will be useful because, while it may not have value today, 30 years or 40 years ahead of this documentation it will be precious.”
Photo by @agungparameswara