Indonesian documentary photographer Atikah Zata Amani compiled the series called ‘There is a Villa Somewhere’ from which these photos are taken. These workers, known as mamang villa, ‘uncle villa’, are normally paid commission for advertising rooms for the night in local houses. Seen in the mountainous Puncak area of West Java, these men work in teams representing one family or village, taking shifts to advertise rooms around the clock in this most rudimentary fashion. The sign on the right-hand photo reads villa kamar disewakan, meaning ‘there is a room for rent’.
‘My photography explores communities and the connection between people and places,’ says Amani. ‘For me, the relationships and collaboration formed with my subjects are important to the image-making.’
