The nature of artwork demands interpretation, yet it raises further doubts over whether art and contextualism go well together. If artwork is dismantled from the creator's intent upon its completion, will one be able to form a whole new narrative while looking at it and draw relevance to today's circumstances? "Para Sekutu yang Tidak Bisa Berkata Tidak" (The Acquiescent Allies), which runs from Jan. 28 to Feb. 27, tries to answer that question. 

As part of a long-term curatorial dialogue project initiated by Goethe-Institut titled Collecting Entanglements and Embodied Histories, the exhibition presents distinct yet intertwining narratives with three other collaborators: MAIAAM Contemporary Art Museum in Chiang Mai, Singapore Art Museum and Hamburger Bahnhof (part of Nationalgalerie - Staatliche Museen Zu Berlin) in Germany. 

Still relevant: 'Paduan Suara yang Tidak Bisa Berkata Tidak' (The Choir that Can Not Say No) artwork by S. Teddy D. was created during his university days in 1997 and inspired by the New Order regime. The artwork's title lends its name to the exhibition: "Para Sekutu yang Tidak Bisa Berkata Tidak" (The Acquiescent Allies), running from Jan. 28 to Feb. 27 in National Gallery (Goethe-Institut/Courtesy of Goethe-Institut) *ITALICIZE ARTWORK TITLE FOR PRINT (Goethe-Institut/Courtesy of Goethe-Institut)

As the fourth and final part of the series, Indonesian curator and researcher Grace Samboh aimed to revisit approximately 2,000 artworks in the National Gallery's existing collection and present the chosen in a new light.

The curatorial process behind the exhibition, according to Grace Samboh, was not entirely based on new ways of thinking. "Newness was not the purpose [of the curation], but rather simply a means for storytelling. Each of us should have had our way to recite our story," said Grace, in a press conference, on Jan. 27. 

For "Para Sekutu yang Tidak Bisa Berkata Tidak", the 22-year-old establishment is stuffed with 78 artworks taking form in books, paintings, sculptures, photographs and mixed-media installations in five different themed sections, namely Convivialities, Allegiances, Festivities, Kinship and Forces.

Among the artworks on display, visitors will encounter Paduan Suara yang Tidak Bisa Berkata Tidak (The Acquiescent Choir) (1997) from which the exhibition name is taken, by artist S. Teddy D. in the second room.

The display shows dozens of yellow-painted chicken heads installed in bamboo stems and hung against the wall with the artist's portrait with mirrors next to it -- a welcoming gesture for the visitors to be involved in the discourse. The reproduced artwork points to our inclination to euphemism as if the word "no" has always been off the table.

Transdisciplinary artist Marintan Sirait also participates in the exhibition with her continual installation Membangun Rumah (Building A House), which has evolved since 1995, a depiction of her journey as an artist and a human being, ever-evolving, ever-growing. 

"Throughout the years, I have been working on this particular artwork under the same title with updated motions and forms," said Marintan in a curatorial tour, on Jan. 27. The said installation is formed of conical mounds of soil, sand and ash enriched with sound and video for a heightened visual and auditory experience. 

Different narrative: The curatorial perspective behind "Para Sekutu yang Tidak Bisa Berkata Tidak" exhibition, according to curator Grace Samboh, started from the curiosity to reencounter National Gallery's existing artwork collection and draw its relevance to today's society. (National Gallery/Courtesy of National Gallery) (National Gallery/Courtesy of National Gallery)

Complementing the exhibition, hybrid public programs are scheduled for different age groups, including the Membangun Rumah workshop and art performance by Marintan Sirait, who uses her body as a vocal element in her performance. For those who opt for movies as their way to enjoy art, Call and Response is a weekly movie program curated by film conservationist Lisabona Rahman and artist/researcher Raslene.

Art and cycling enthusiasts can also take part in Menelusuri Hikayat Banjir Kanal Timur (Exploring the History of East Flood Canal), a cycling tour hosted by artist Ary "Jimged" Sendy, historian JJ Rizal and photography educator Ng Swan Ti. The exhibition's curator Grace Samboh is also conducting a storytelling workshop and exhibition tour titled Alkisah… (Once Upon A Time). Take your children with you during your visit to the exhibition and sign them up to a collage-making workshop titled Kolaseku, Keluargaku (My Collage, My Family) with artist Ika Vantiani.

Other artists participating in "Para Sekutu yang Tidak Bisa Berkata Tidak" include Agus Suwage, Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, Basoeki Abdullah, Belkis Ayón Manso, Bruce Nauman, Danarto, Dolorosa Sinaga, Emiria Sunassa, Ary "Jimged" Sendy, Käthe Kollwitz, Marintan Sirait, Nguyen Trinh Thi, Oyvind Fahlstrom, Siti Ruliyati, Tisna Sanjaya and Wassily Kandinsky. Find their artwork on your next visit to the exhibition and while you're at it, let go of the singularity concept of art history and utilize the artwork to narrate your own story.

For further information on the exhibition and its hybrid programs, visit collectingentanglements.net or galeri-nasional.or.id.