Entwining bubble wrap around bus stop handrails to entertain commuters is not something anybody normally does, except perhaps Jakarta artist Restu Ratnaningtyas.
Her street art has been on display for a week (Jan. 31-Feb. 7) at the Dukuh-Atas Dua busway shelter in Central Jakarta, as part of the ARENA Jakarta Biennale 2009.
"Everyone likes to pop bubble wrap," Restu says, "I started thinking, what could I put on the Transjakarta bridge to help people kill time? And then I thought of bubble wrap. I was thinking of putting some origami or bells but I didn't think everyone would be happy with that."
Restu says she had a bit of trouble convincing Transjakarta to understand her artistic mission. She was finally given permission last week (Jan 30) and granted 8 square meters to work with.
"They said, *Don't put up too much'. They were afraid it would annoy passengers. It took them a while to get the idea, they kept asking, *For what?' But today they gave me permission, so I can smile," she said.
The 27-year-old says the subject of much of her work is public space. As a regular commuter, she understands how public space is at a premium in Jakarta. Restu used to spend up to seven hours a day commuting. She says her inspiration comes from things she observes in her everyday life. "Public space in Jakarta is almost inhumane."
"People want to be private in public space. Lots of people create their own privacy with headphones, laptops or some other technology."
Her first solo exhibition in November of last year - Memento: Privatization Room - consisted mainly of paintings. She says she would like her next exhibition to include more mixed media. "I mix print work with painting. Maybe next time I'll try video animation, too. I don't know what will happen next. Maybe I'll lose interest in drawing."
Restu works out of Ruangrupa, a collective of contemporary artists in Tebet, South Jakarta. Inspired by Indonesian artist Eko Nugroho and Yogyakarta-based Hendra "Hehe" Harsono, Restu's art has been described as comic surrealism, with dreamlike figures conveying a complex of meanings. Cat imagery appears in many of her pieces, as do rabbit ears. Her works show the influence of Eko Nugroho's work particularly in the way his creations burst with colorful patterns and pairs of eyes that seem to stare out from unexpected places. From beyond Indonesia, Restu mentions she is inspired by Blu Blu, who uses graffiti-covered walls as canvases for street art.
Hafiz, who curated Restu's solo show, gives a nod to how US street art magazine Juxtapoz has influenced her style. "It's hip and has influenced the young generation of Indonesia," he says.
Hafiz speaks highly of Restu, saying visitors to her show responded well. "Restu has a good connection with the student movement and what's happening now with the young generation in Yogyakarta and Jakarta." Of her latest venture towards bubble-wrap art, he says it is surprising people.
Restu believes few women artists in Indonesia at present have a similar "fresh, young" style. Her experiences are mounting. She spent two years making an underground comic, Gelak, and later joined a group called Propagraphic, who were involved in creating posters and murals in public spaces around Jakarta. She is also part of the Serrum art community.
"I believe there's no originality in art right now," Restu says. "It's too easy to get information from everywhere. Everything has become closer because of the Internet and television, I can see what people are doing in Japan, I can see what people are making in Russia." She thinks artists may not even realize how they are being influenced. "I'm not saying this is wrong, though. It's perfectly OK."
A fan of Smashing Pumpkins and Portishead, she has an interesting background as a teacher and an artist. She studied art and education for three years at the State University of Jakarta. "I didn't really like the system of my academic institution so I chose to be an artist and make my own projects." She has taught in a kindergarten and at Franciscus Assisi elementary, which US President Barack Obama attended as a child. Restu is currently a freelance illustrator for wearable art.
She says even though Jakarta can claim to have many art galleries, they are mostly filled with works by Yogyakarta artists. Yogya is a nice, quiet and friendly place where she finds it easier to focus. "But I miss Jakarta if I'm in Yogyakarta, it's strange."
She's unsure what her future will bring. "I hope I'm still doing this, I hope I don't get tired and still have ideas. I don't want to get old!" she laughs. "I want to influence people with my art, so they are inspired by me." She wants her work to be in the limelight rather than herself. "I don't want to be like a rock star, some artists give autographs which I find strange."
