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ARTJOG and Jogja Art Weeks not affected by Merapi eruption
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ARTJOG has lured art lovers and collectors to Yogyakarta. (JP/Stefanus Ajie)
M
ount Merapi in Central Java experienced a phreatic eruption on Friday morning, a phenomenon caused by the heating and expansion of groundwater.
The eruption caused volcanic ash to spread across several areas in Yogyakarta, including Cangkringan, Pakem, Tempel, Turi, Godean and Gamping, from 10 a.m. till midday.
Yogyakarta’s Adisutjipto International Airport was temporarily closed, forcing several airlines to cancel flights. However, the daily activities of Yogyakarta residents remained normal.
The ongoing ARTJOG and Jogja Art Weeks art exhibition have not been affected.
ARTJOG curator Ignatia Nilu said the volcanic ash did little to hamper the enthusiasm of ARTJOG’s visitors.
Read also: ARTJOG 2018 kicks off with new, fresh look
ARTJOG is visited by 1,500 to 2,500 art enthusiasts daily, with no difference seen on Friday, though some wore masks to avoid ash contamination.
At the exhibition's opening, the Yogyakarta National Museum welcomed 15,000 guests.
Other art galleries in Yogyakarta participating in Jogja Art Weeks said activities were running as usual. Jefri Chaniago, a painting enthusiast from Yogyakarta said, “Overall, there has been a decline in Jogja Art Week visitor numbers, especially from local and international collectors, but that is due to the currently sluggish art market in Indonesia.”
Yogyakarta’s tourism, trade and art scene are expected to continue to thrive despite the eruption. (wng)
