MAKING GONGS
This home-based factory is one of many on the island of Java that makes instruments for the Gamelan orchestras throughout Indonesia.
The desired goal is to produce a clear note with a definite tuning, but without a lot of sustain that would interfere with other notes. Gamelan orchestras might have 20 players using metal instruments in many different forms.
There is a big fire murmuring in the background, with a fan blowing from underneath, and they hold a plate of bronze over the flame until it is white-red hot. Then they have about 90 seconds to hammer it, before it is too cool, and it goes back to the flames.
The guys who are doing the hammering have bare feet. They work all together like one machine: one guy hits, then another guy, then another guy...
They come from small villages inland, where there is no work at all. They live here, and send money home.
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| These guys asked me to take their picture |
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| Final Tuning |
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| This guy asked me to take his picture |
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| taken with a flash |
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| also with a flash |
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| filing it down |
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| long pole hammer for the central dome |
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| the carpentry shop for the Gong stands |
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