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Jakarta Post

Sculptures on the Streets

Footpath: A statue attracts attention from passersby in Yogyakarta

Tarko sudiarno (The Jakarta Post)
Yogyakarta
Thu, November 26, 2015

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Sculptures on the Streets

Footpath: A statue attracts attention from passersby in Yogyakarta.

Spiderman sits on a heap of sacks with a pincuk (banana leaf dish) in his left hand and a roast chicken foot in his right hand. He has rather protruding teeth.

The Spiderman figure at the Tugu Monument is the work of artist Amboro Liring and reflects the habits of Yogyakartans, who love hanging out around the city'€™s iconic monument.

The statue has become a favorite spot among selfie-lovers '€” from policemen, food sellers and tourists to students, who stand in line for their picture with the Javanese Spiderman.

Spiderman is one of 32 statues on display on the streets around the monument as part of the Jogja Street Sculpture exhibition, organized by the Indonesian Sculptors Association and running until Dec. 31.

On the monument'€™s other side, an old door was installed in red brick walls. The installation forms a frame to make people feel like they are standing inside a home against the background of Tugu Yogyakarta.

The piece'€™s creator, Ali Umar, said if people stood at the door and take a selfie, they would appear to be at their virtual home, with the monument seen nearby.

According to the exhibition'€™s organizer, Panji Bagus Kurniawan, the event highlights how identity differences within society can create space for creative and dynamic dialogue rather than limitations.

Yogyakarta'€™s cosmopolitan potential is reflected through public spaces, where various languages, cultures and nations meet, he added.

'€œThe works presented in the city center can serve as a medium to revitalize public spaces as meeting places. This use of space takes account of ethical and artistic aspects of the local environment instead of just moving art objects out of galleries,'€ Panji said.

He added that to reconcile art and public activities, the organizers researched and observed public space realities in social, cultural, historical and political contexts.

'€œThe presence of sculptures should take heed of public space users in the sense of being public-friendly, interactive and supportive of public access, cyclists and pedestrians.'€

The works of the 32 sculptors indeed refresh public places in the hub of Yogyakarta, now packed with hotels and restaurants.

Local touch: The Spiderman sculpture by Amboro Liring reflects the habits of Yogyakartans, who love hanging out around the city'€™s iconic Tugu Monument.
Local touch: The Spiderman sculpture by Amboro Liring reflects the habits of Yogyakartans, who love hanging out around the city'€™s iconic Tugu Monument.

The objects respond to the issue of public places humorously, although they may be a form of criticism directed at city policymakers.

Apart from Spiderman and the Tugu door, there'€™s also a car leaning against the wall of a restaurant offering no parking space, created by Awan P. Simatupang, and a red scooter plunging on the sidewalk, fashioned by Teguh S. Priyono.

Nearby, artist Suparman showcases a piece titled Rainbow, showing a red hydrant seemingly spurting two streams of multicolored water. His concept depicts Yogyakarta'€™s cultural diversity, with people from different regions converging in a dynamic and artistic way.

Rudi Mantofani with his installation called Becak E-mas features the becak (pedicab) as one of Yogyakarta'€™s typical faces. The becak has held its ground in Yogyakarta despite the city'€™s rapid transformation. Rudi'€™s golden-colored becak appeals for the government'€™s attention through human touch and modernization to boost pedicab drivers'€™ dedication and pride.

'€” Photos by Tarko Sudiarno

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