Despite the closure of public places due to safety procedures, the arts have continued to flourish in one place where the virus will not be able to ravage: the internet.

While virtual exhibitions have become common as part of the so-called "new normal", the seventh edition of the National Gallery of Indonesia's biennial contemporary art exhibition Manifesto marks the first time it has been held online.

Accessible on the National Gallery of Indonesia website at galnasonline.id until Dec. 6, Manifesto VII exhibits 217 works by 204 artists, selected from an open call process involving more than 300 submissions.

As COVID-19 has dominated conversations and airwaves, its cultural ramifications are significant enough that organizers of Manifesto VII have made it the exhibition's central theme, citing the need to capture the development of the arts as a result of widespread societal change.

Because of this, the artist lineup has changed as well. Whereas previous editions only involved invited artists, the seventh iteration allowed members of the public to participate. The medium of video was also considered due to the format’s ease in representing the creators’ ideas and viewpoints in a virtual setting.

Visitors landing on the National Gallery’s website will be directed to a banner linked to the Manifesto’s landing page, where they are faced with a plethora of images in a loop. These images are previews of the video artwork, which can be viewed by clicking on the image.

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