Collections of Broken Polaroids at Kindling
Following the bankruptcy of Polaroid around 2015, many of their films expired and no longer worked as they should. Instead of seeing them as failures, John started to make use of them. He would load the film, press the shutter, then work directly on the wet emulsion by hand, moving the liquid before it dried. This process created textures, lines, and colors that were often random, but sometimes formed into shapes he guided with his fingers. John collected these experiments in an album, and over time they became a body of work of their own.
When Kindling, one of Jakarta’s fine dining restaurants, opened in 2024, they began looking for artworks to display. The group’s co-founder Mikael Mirdad, who has a keen eye for aesthetics, introduced John’s works to Chef Vallian Gunawan. Together, they selected four works from John Navid’s Polaroid collection, selections that speak quietly to the space without overpowering it. Each piece from this series is printed in a strictly limited edition of only five, and every print comes with one of John’s vintage frames, each unique from the other. This ensures that the works remain exclusive, both in story and in form.
One of the works is now hung above Kindling’s open kitchen. The frame design is inspired by the painter Lee Man Fong, who once served as the palace painter during Soekarno’s era. His paintings were often presented in tall vertical frames with uneven proportions, which became one of his signatures. For this project, John reinterpreted that frame design by turning the vertical layout into horizontal, changing the balance of the presentation while keeping the spirit of Fong’s style. The frame itself is made from old teak wood, more than 50 years old, repurposed from dismantled furniture. It is left unpainted to highlight the natural grain of the wood. The frame carries not only an artistic reference but also a sense of history and sustainability.
All of John’s works for Kindling are printed on Washi Torinoko, a traditional Japanese paper, 110gsm. “Washi” means “paper that can last a thousand years.” It is acid-free, made from peeled tree bark instead of cutting new trees, and suitable for fine art printing. If stored properly, away from direct sunlight and in a stable environment, the colors can last up to 100 years.
This project is also a reminder that John’s work does not only live inside exhibitions. Beyond Menangkap Gelagat and Sporadic, these Polaroid pieces now have a home in Kindling, quietly present as part of the restaurant’s atmosphere, accompanying every meal and conversation.
Kindling is located at Jl. Cikini Raya No. 20, Menteng, Jakarta, Indonesia
