The Kretek Smoker
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ᝰ THE STORY
Along a quiet roadside in a remote village of Banten, a 92-year-old gentleman sat on his doorstep, locked in a chess match with his friend. The game unfolded at its own unhurried pace, pieces shifting across the worn wooden board in silent concentration. When the final move was played, they looked up with easy smiles, extending an invitation to share the midday meal.
Lunch was simple yet satisfying, followed by steaming cups of bold, black Javanese coffee—an unmistakable ritual of the region. As the afternoon stretched on, the two men reached for their kretek cigarettes, lighting them in perfect synchrony. The scent of cloves thickened the air, mingling with the lingering aroma of coffee.
Leaning back against the weathered wall of the building, the elderly man straddled his seat, facing his longtime companion. Smoke curled from his lips, rising lazily into the humid air, blurring the line between reality and artistry. He was fully aware of the camera’s presence, yet instead of shying away, he transformed the moment into a performance—releasing thick, swirling puffs as if painting the air itself, turning an ordinary smoke break into something almost theatrical. It was in that very instant that The Kretek Smoker came to life.
The kretek, an Indonesian tradition, is no ordinary cigarette. Blended with finely cut tobacco and cloves, its crackling embers release a distinctive aroma that has been part of the archipelago’s cultural fabric for generations. First introduced in Central Java in the late 19th century, it was once believed to have medicinal properties, easing sore throats and asthma. Today, it remains deeply embedded in everyday life, a ritual passed down through time.
In this fleeting yet vivid scene, time seemed to slow—an old man, a trusted friend, the quiet pleasure of conversation, and the gentle dance of clove-scented smoke against the golden afternoon light.
📍Lebak, Banten 🗓 2018
❏ Fine Art Print
Printed on 210 gsm premium matte fine art paper using 10-color archival pigment inkjet technology for exceptional detail, tonal depth and longevity. Suitable for matting and framing.
Available in the following dimension:
• 45 x 30 cm | 18 x 12”
• 60 x 40 cm | 24 x 16”
❏ Aluminum Print
Printed directly onto a 3 mm aluminum composite panel using state-of-the-art UV printing technology. The matte, reflection-free finish offers exceptional durability, water resistance and is ready to hang. Suitable for sheltered outdoor display.
Available in the following dimension:
• 60 x 40 cm | 24 x 16”
Collector's Limited Edition of 15 copies worldwide.
Limited to 15 editions worldwide, each photograph is processed in Germany on Fujiflex Crystal Archive Paper, one of the world's finest professional photographic papers.
Unlike inkjet printing, each image is laser-exposed onto silver halide photographic paper and chemically developed using a traditional chromogenic process. The ultra-high-gloss polyester surface delivers extraordinary sharpness, exceptional tonal depth and a remarkable three-dimensional appearance. Under proper lighting, microscopic crystals within the emulsion create an exceptional sense of depth, giving the photograph an almost backlit presence that is unlike conventional photographic prints.
Each artwork is individually numbered and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, signed, dated and embossed by the artist. The certificate also records the provenance of every edition, documenting where each of the fifteen prints has found its permanent home.
The artist proposes 15 copies, each available in the following sizes:
• 90 x 60 cm | 36 x 24”
• 150 x 100 cm | 60 x 40”
To fully reveal the depth, brilliance and visual impact of Fujiflex Crystal Archive, each print should be professionally mounted and glazed using museum-grade materials.
Open Edition
• Complimentary worldwide shipping.
• Orders are dispatched within 48 hours.
• Estimated delivery: ±1 week, depending on the destination.
• Fine Art Prints are carefully inspected, rolled and shipped in a sturdy protective tube.
• Aluminum Prints are securely packaged in a reinforced cardboard box.
• Fine Art Prints are produced and shipped from Indonesia. Aluminum Prints are processed and shipped from Germany.
• A shipping confirmation is sent by email or text message.
• Import duties, taxes and customs fees are the responsibility of the recipient.
• Fine Art Prints include white borders for optimal presentation and framing.
• Frame not included.
★ Collector's Edition
• Complimentary worldwide shipping.
• Each artwork is prepared to order and dispatched within 7 days.
• Estimated delivery: ±1 week, depending on the destination.
• Fully insured shipping with tracking via UPS, FedEx or DHL.
• Professionally packed by fine art specialists for maximum protection.
• Processed and shipped from Germany.
• Each artwork is accompanied by its Certificate of Authenticity, individually numbered, signed, dated and embossed by the artist, together with handling and framing recommendations.
• Import duties, taxes and customs fees are the responsibility of the recipient.
• Collector's Limited Editions include white borders for optimal presentation and professional framing.
• Frame not included.