The Jakarta Biennale annual art festival, this year themed “Jakarta Maximum City: Survive or Escape”, is back in town, showcasing the works of 200 national and international artists, the event’s organizers said.

The 14th Jakarta Biennale, which officially started on July 29, and is organized by the Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ) in collaboration with the Jakarta Culture and Tourism Agency, reflects on a city it calls overloaded yet still attractive, and aims to portray its citizens as “creative beings” who find a way to survive the chaos.

This year’s event is different to previous ones as it also involves journalists. “We believe that art is present everywhere — in buildings, in city parks, and in other public places. We therefore are involving journalists in the event as the representatives of the public. Art shouldn’t be exclusive,” Aisul Yanto, head of th...