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Indonesian artists to participate in the 2017 Beijing International Art Biennale
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'Exchange' by I Putu Edy Asmara. (Indonesia-China Art Association/File)
I
ndonesian artists are set to participate in the seventh Beijing International Art Biennale from Sept. 24 to Oct. 15 at the National Art Museum of China, Beijing.
Held under the theme The Silk Road and World’s Civilization, their artworks will be displayed at Special Exhibition of the Contemporary Art of Indonesia section.
Seventeen artists have been selected to take part in the event, including Camelia Mitasari Hasibuan, Chusin Setiadikara, I Putu Edy Asmara, Erizal As, Gatot Indrajati, Ivan Sagita, Januri, Johan Abi Tobing, Joni Ramlan Wiono, Made Gede Paramahita, I Made Wianta, Mangu Putra, Nasirun, Nyoman Nuarta, Franciscus Sigit Santoso, Ugy Sugiarto and Yince Djuwidja.
Their artworks were curated by Kus Indarto and are supported by the Indonesia-China Art Association, which promotes Chinese and Indonesian artists.
“The theme Silk Road cannot be merely translated as a trade journey or culture,” Kus said.
Read also: Unsung Museum highlights Indonesia’s democracy challenges
In the curator’s notes, Kus explained that a majority of the works have a different interpretation of the theme The Silk Road and World’s Civilization, re-contextualizing it into matters that are related to Indonesia’s culture or the artists’ personal understanding.
Artost Erizal As, who hails from West Sumatra, highlights the relationship between Minangkabau culture and Chinese culture in the painting Rabab Minang. For instance, both cultures consider red and yellow as iconic colors that are often used in many traditional ceremonies. Erizal also visualizes the traditional music instrument rebab, which is believed to be the connecting point when talking about the two cultures.
Meanwhile, renowned artist Nyoman Nuarta came up with the Legenda Borobudur III (Legend of Borobudur III) sculpture, which Kus said would provide a broader meaning to the theme.
“Indonesia will experience a huge loss if its largest Buddhist temple [Borobudur] disappears or is destroyed. That is also Nuarta’s fear for the Borobudur,” Kus said. “Hence, the temple is depicted as if it’s floating, giving the impression that it will vanish if it’s not well maintained.”
Other countries involved in this event include Greece, Mongolia and Italy. (asw)
