Reflections on space and time

Carla Bianpoen ,  CONTRIBUTOR ,  JAKARTA   |  Thu, 01/15/2009 5:46 PM  |  Lifestyle

The title of the exhibition at V-Art Gallery in Yogyakartaon Space and Time" at first evokes the impression that the art works on display were inspired by space and time in relation to the universe. Perhaps some might have expected to see some space-art and imagined how the artists would visualize Time.

But such imagination would be too far-fetched; all the exhibition actually sought was some reflection on what was achieved or what changed in the works of these artists in a certain time frame.

The ongoing exhibition opened on Dec. 30, right at the end of the yearindeed a time of reflection, but also of looking forward, although there is not much in the way of "looking forward" here, either in the works, or in the curatorial reflections.

That some artists had just one work, and others more than one, implies the reflection was more for the artists themselves and for those familiar with each artist's work.

The work by Haris Purnomo in this exhibition dated 2005, for instance, gives no hint of how his work usually is or used to be. The work, which features a prostrated man, is completely different from Haris' usual metaphors, the Garuda or tattoos on the smooth and silky skin of babies. But then, one may perceive the painting as honoring that particular part of the exhibition's title.

In the Indonesian art world, Haris is a familiar face, an artist who dared to stand up against repression in the 1970s. A member of Pipa (short for Kepribadian Apa, meaning "What kind of character"), his works used to emulate profound feelings and strong undercurrents of critique, a profundity that has somehow yielded to the demands of the lucrative market.

It seems the market and the trends it favors have also drawn in Robert Manullang. Once a member of the Gerakan Seni Indonesia Baru movement, which set out to question assumptions about art, he has succumbed to the pop trend that dominated the market for some time. His painting of Marilyn Monroe with a spot on her face is reminiscent of the Chinese paintings that were much sought after at some time.

The widely respected Heri Dono has two paintings, one of which features the emaciated figure of a wayang angel in a style that is well known. Since early in his career, he has used angels as a metaphor for freedom, the wings carrying him to a world of rare imagination where Western cartoons come together with creatures and figures from traditional myths and legend, to vent the criticisms that underlie his humorous caricatures.

The angel that recurs during his career could be seen as a mascot, a guardian angel that protects him wherever he goes. But it could also be a representation of self, for Heri is flying all over the world to show his works or participate in workshops, or to take up a position as artist in residence somewhere.

His second painting, Suami Istri Tertunda (Husband Wife Delayed), comes as a surprise. The caricatures here have given way to realistic figures, but the imbalance between the tall, forceful man and the small woman is in itself a caricature of how the male's perceived position in society is out of proportion to that of women. But Heri is actually hinting at the widespread practice of old men marrying little girls barely 12 years old, such as the recent case of Sheik Puji.

Laksmi Shitaresmi's two paintings are distinctly different, although made the same year.

Her second painting, Renungan di Toilet *1 (Contemplation in Toilet *1), diverges from the refined and could even be considered banal were it not for the strength and the beauty of the bold lines that form the image: the vagina, the hands, the feet. It shows that Laksmi is coming into her own at last.

The two works by Tisna Sanjaya, Indonesia's only master etcher, are mixed media pieces titled Ophelia and Hamlet. These two works confirm that Tisna is an etcher whose etching mode shines through even when he mixes media on canvas.

The exhibition also includes works by Adi Gunawan, AS Kurnia, Arie Dyanto, F. Sigit Santoso Hayattudin, Nasirun, Samuel Indratma and Suatmadji.

"Reflections on Space and Time" runs until Jan. 20 at
V Art Gallery, Jl. Laksda Adisucipto 165 Yogyakarta.
Phone/fax: (0274) 581027
email: vartjogja@yahoo.co.id and vartjogja@gmail.com

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.