The catalogue of Jakarta-based publisher Binatang Press is unified by its bold typeset and lurid, neon colours. The subject matter of each book, however, follows the idiosyncratic interests of its founders, husband-wife duo Andreas Junus and Wanda Kamarga, and their artistic community.
After nearly a decade of working at their own design and advertising agency, The1984, Andreas and Wanda established Binatang Press in 2015. “Initially, our goal was to create a platform for our artist and designer friends to publish books based on their passions,” Andreas tells me, “Now, I see Binatang Press as an alternative book publisher focused on telling stories about subcultures and emerging creative industries in Jakarta.”
While travelling with The 1984 to attend design and art book events across Asia, the pair identified a significant gap in Jakarta's offering of art books that reflected local artistic communities and offered alternatives to mainstream publishers. They recognised a need for change in both editorial perspectives and production modes.
The subsequent purchase of a second-hand Risograph EZ machine in 2015 marked the inception of Binatang Press. In Indonesia, RISO machines are the primary method of production for government documents, used for their ability to print high volumes at low cost. At the hands of an artist, however, the hand-fed RISO machine offers an aesthetic that sits between screen and digital printing, with colour combinations that elude standard offset printing. Though Binatang Press now uses a variety of printing methods, the vivid colours and textured RISO prints of their beginnings remain core to the publisher’s creative fingerprint.
Browsing Binatang Press’ back catalogues, a few distinct themes emerge: music, cycling, children’s books and adult comics in the style of ‘Wayang Manga’. These publications vary in tone. Among the newer releases, Bron Zelani’s comic, emanating seafoam greens and florescent pinks, traces the story of a magical bird that can suddenly sing while Fran Hakim’s ‘An Ode To Friend Chicken’ reviews KFC knockoffs around Jakarta. More serious in subject matter, though equally bright in colour, the Printed Melodies collection documents Indonesian music history.
“At the hands of an artist, the hand-fed RISO machine offers an aesthetic that sits between screen and digital printing, with colour combinations that elude standard offset printing.”
Children’s literature is a particular focus for Wanda and Andreas, as they seek to foster a stronger culture of reading locally. Nita Junus’ ‘Sleep, Sleep, Sleep Its Time to Sleep’ is a soothing bedtime tale of an insomniac fish, while ‘Moon Shadow’ by Taja Sukarya, is a graphic novel for older children set in a world ruled by animals. “We want to create books that are relatable and interesting, books that inspire them to pick up a book and start reading.”
Over almost a decade, Binatang Press has nurtured friendships within Indonesia’s vibrant independent publishing community. Having participated in various art book fairs across the Asia-Pacific, the pair will initiate their own art book fair this December in collaboration with fellow design studios, publishers, and printers. Press Print Party will spotlight Jakarta creatives and showcase independent talent from across the archipelago.
Looking forward, Binatang Press aims to further professionalise their operations, editorial processes, and outreach efforts, while continuing to tell stories from artists and creatives on the ground in Jakarta.
