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Pulih art exhibition to feature Arahmaiani, Hana Madness
Ten artists will participate in the Pulih art exhibition, aiming to lift people's spirits during this challenging time.
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One of the entrances to Pasar Seni art market in Ancol Dreamland Park, North Jakarta, on Dec. 22, 2017. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)
T
he COVID-19 pandemic has devastated numerous industries along with the people involved. As time goes by, not only has the outbreak affected people’s physical health, it has also put mental health in the spotlight, as people are surrounded by news of death and disease and most are forced into isolation.
Amid the crisis, an art exhibition will be held that aims to lift people’s spirits.
Dubbed Pulih (recover), the exhibition will run from Nov. 14 to 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pasar Seni in Ancol Dreamland park, North Jakarta. Pulih is Pasar Seni's first event as part of its revitalization program and a collaborative project with Cita Prasanna Institution.
Ten artists from various backgrounds will participate in this event, namely Arahmaiani, Chairun “Ilun” Nissa, Eko Prawoto, Hana Madness, Lab Tanya, Melati Suryodarmo, Mella Jaarsma, Tisna Sanjaya, Reda Gaudiamo and Amerta Sound (Galih Nagaseno).
“We chose artists who have created artwork with a focus on recovery in various fields. Several had also collaborated with communities,” Mia Maria, general manager of Pasar Seni and curator of the event, told The Jakarta Post during a press conference on Thursday.
Arahmaiani, for instance, will showcase her Bendera (flag) project and Ahimsa-Karuna video that highlight the values of cultural perspectives and communities she had worked with.
During the press conference, Arahmaiani explained that Ahimsa (non-violence) and Karuna (love) originated from Sanskrit. “Both were practiced by our ancestors during the eras of Sriwijaya [kingdom] and Medang Kamulan [kingdom]. I’d like to rediscover and reinterpret the meanings of the words,” Arahmaiani said.
Hana Madness will focus on types of emotions in her art installation. “People can come and participate to ‘create’ artwork with Hana – of course while adhering to large-scale social restrictions [PSBB]. She will encourage people to ‘dive’ into various types of human emotions,” said Mia.
Mella Jaarsma, artist and founder of Yogyakarta-based art center Rumah Seni Cemeti, will highlight coconut at the exhibition, specifically how the plant’s parts are utilized in Indonesian cultures, including its fruit, water, trunk and leaves.
Pulih will also showcase a 3600 video by filmmaker Chairun “Ilun” Nisa on the importance of breathing. Ilun stated that she wanted to make her work more personal as the pandemic had forced her to stay at home and limit her activities. During her time at home, she began to explore breathing and listened to her body through breathing.
“I tried to explore several techniques until one day I fell sick, but I kept listening to my body. I included those processes in my work,” Ilun said. “I want to encourage people to understand breath itself. […] Humans inhale oxygen provided by plants and coral reefs. When they exhale carbon dioxide, plants will use it for the photosynthesis process. It’s a mutual restorative relationship between humans and the nature through breathing.”
For those who are interested in the event, Ancol Dreamland Park is open to the public from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 25 percent visitor capacity. Visitors aged below 9 and above 60 are only allowed to exercise within Ancol Beach and Allianz Ecopark areas. (wng)
