A dynamic new initiative envisions a sustainable art ecosystem in Bali.

CushCush Gallery (CCG) in 2017 initiated DenPasar Art+Design, an innovative annual program to establish the city as a national and international design and creative hub. To enhance and develop the city's reputation through a series of events uniting the community, DenPasar strives to fill in the gaps in the art and creative infrastructure and to help build a sustainable art ecosystem in Bali.

"Creatives from throughout Indonesia and overseas are enticed to come to Bali for its lifestyle, rich culture and inherent creative dynamic. During the past decade, many have relocated here, while others often return. As the island's multicultural society evolves, so does its potential," said CCG cofounder Suriawati Qiu. 

With her partner Jindee Chua in 2016, she introduced CCG to the art and design landscape, contributing fresh and exciting energy to the local creative scene.

A platform dedicated to multidisciplinary collaboration by associating creative fields such as architecture, communication design, interior design, product design, visual and performance arts and crafts, CCG's philosophy addresses Creative Education, Creative Collaboration, Creative Community engaging with the Balinese, Indonesian and international communities. 

The DenPasar2019 program, In Transition, launched a series of capacity-building programs highlighting a youth curator residency program. In DenPasar2022: It's about TIME! the Curatorial Residency Program follows the 2019 initiative featuring events led by mentors Ayos Purwoaji and Mitha Budhyarto, curators and academics experienced in organizing art exhibitions and projects on a regional, national and international scale. 

Participants for this year's curatorial program were selected senior students from the Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) Denpasar and members of the public from Bali and other Indonesian islands through an open-call application.

The 2022 DenPasar Art+Design (DPS22) runs from Oct. 7 to Nov. 19, themed It's About TIME! The main program presented an offline comprehensive curatorial residency in collaboration with ISI Denpasar from Oct. 7 to 21. Thirteen participants learned from mentors, speakers and practitioners within the Indonesian contemporary arts and design scene. Events included workshops on art conservation, exhibition design, exhibition/art project management and writing ideas. 

Speakers included senior Indonesian contemporary artist and DPS22 advisor FX Harsono, curator Hendro Wiyanto, curator and Jogja Biennale director Alia Swastika, exhibition designer Sigit D Pratama, award-winning product designer Alvin Tjitrowirjo and designer Angela Stephanie Meyrina, architect and curator of Indonesian pavilion for Venice Biennale 2020 Ketut Dirgantara, art and event manager Gustra Adnyana, public communication and community manager Ruth Onduko, award-winning writer and academic Sonia Piscayanti and artworks conservators Saiful Bakhri, Laila Fitrani and I Wayan Sumadi.

"Curators offer artists and the community new perspectives. They can provoke artists to produce meaningful works through constant conversations and trigger critical discourses and knowledge that create a dynamic art scene and creative community. The curators’ initiatives engage the public and ultimately create a better society. Sadly, Bali lacks curators," Suriawati told The Jakarta Post, adding that there is no formal curatorial education in Bali. 

"The practice is relatively young in Indonesia. The role of curators is essential to a healthy art and creative ecosystem beyond the market."

Responding to the It's About TIME! exhibition curated by the 2021 DenPasar Art+Design (DPS21), emerging female curators Ni Wayan Penawati, Ni Wayan Satiani Pradnya Paramita and Wicitra Pradnyaratih were showcased at CCG. Guided by DPS21 mentors Savitri Sastrawan and I Made Susanta Dwitanaya, they presented the work of I Gede Sukarya, Gusti Dalem, Eka Sutha, Gilang Propag, Ketut Nugi, Ayu Dyah Wulandari, Srizkiki, street artists Djamur Komunitas and artist collectives from Gelombang Studio, Sinar Pande Studio and Studio Bares.

"Through the DPS21 program, I learned about curatorial theory and also designed this year's exhibition proposal," said Pradnya Paramita who collaborated with three art collectives to present their works at CCG. The fine art graduate from ISI Denpasar is pursuing a master's degree in Art Education at Malang State University, East Java.

"This process was interesting as I was required to dig deeper into Bali's cultural space of non-formal art education. Each collective is unique, with differing visions, philosophies and methods of teaching art. The program has given me broader and deeper knowledge. I got to know others and their challenges in the arts field. I implemented new ideas in this exhibition while collaborating with many others from various fields."

"DenPasar is a place for learning and the actualization of entering the real art scene. This brilliant idea of ​​CushCush Gallery brings art students and young curators together with experts, namely writers, artists and professional curators. ISI Denpasar supports this program because it directly enriches the experience of our students with the real art world," said ISI Denpasar rector and event opening keynote speaker, Prof. I Wayan Kun Adnyana.

"Last year's program was online because of the pandemic. And due to the restrictions, I had more time to educate myself about the studies that I'm very interested in," said Wicitra Pradnyaratih, a 30-year-old graphic designer with a passion for the arts and illustration. "I enjoyed working with the artists, seeing them practice and discuss their creative process. I am grateful that many artists and practitioners enjoy working and learning with others."

"In Bali, art is mainly consumed as a commodity due to the impact of tourism. As a result, there are questions about whether curating is a sustainable profession. There is, however, growing awareness about the importance of curatorial practices. We trust this initiative will ignite people's interest in curating and will be encouraged and supported," Suria said.

"DenPasar Art+Design aspires to bring a voice to the emerging concerns of our time and it is necessary to investigate the missing links in our creative ecosystem. DPS22 is our most ambitious DenPasar program to date. The theme is derived from the Balinese word for time, kala, which is considered a marker of separation, change and meeting. Paying homage to the city's roots and Bali's culture, It's About TIME! invites everyone to meet and explore possibilities, ask questions, seek out potential and initiate change for a better collective future."

Popular

RI, Australia strengthen partnership on taxing crypto assets

Analysis: Indonesia denies normalization with Israel to enter OECD

Citroen to produce electric cars in Indonesia