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Rabbit Town, ‘selfie culture’ versus awareness of art
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The Obliteration room by Yayoi Kusama. (Queensland Art Gallery/QAGOMA Photography)
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midst public criticism of its alleged rip-offs of famous artworks, Rabbit Town theme park in Bandung, West Java, is still operating normally. An operator who took a phone call from The Jakarta Post confirmed that the park was open and very busy with a lot of visitors.
Labelling itself as a “selfie-destination”, Rabbit Town features alleged copies of internationally renowned artworks such as Yayoi Kusama’s Obliteration Room, Chris Burden’s Urban Lights, and several installations at the pop-up Museum of Ice Cream.
Visitors to Rabbit Town are joyfully taking selfies against the artwork rip-offs and posting the photos on their social media accounts, while other visitors post photos of activities near the rabbit villa, monkey grove, birdhouses and fish pond.
The controversy regarding the theme park has also led to questions being directed at Indonesian artists currently attending Hong Kong Art Basel, according to Syagini Ratna Wulan, a contemporary artist from Bandung.
“We are deeply saddened [by the alleged plagiarism], but on the other hand, we are ashamed. As the ones who are more educated, or more exposed to art and culture, we should have been able to educate the public,” said Syagini in a message to the Post.
“Either we are too apathetic or we have no idea how to do so,” she added.
Syagini is also deeply concerned about the selfie culture. She thinks it is destructive. Its social impact is too unimaginable, causing quite a lot of harm.
Indonesian artists, according to Syagini, are now helping to build the public’s awareness of art. “Now that the public has a better awareness of art, we are working from there to build a stronger foundation one step at a time,” she said.
Read also: Museum MACAN to host Yayoi Kusama exhibition in May
Bandung, she said, was an Indonesian city from which many creative minds hailed. Syagini pointed out that there is a park in Bandung showcasing good, original artworks namely Jatayu park.
There are also art-themed attractions in Bandung worth a visit, such as Nyoman Nuarta’s Nu Art sculpture garden and Sunaryo’s Wot Batu.
