Held for the second time, Jakarta Contemporary Ceramics Biennale (JCCB #2) sets to affirm ceramics as an important media to be observed in contemporary art. What distinguishes JCCB #2 with its theme of Crafting Identity from JCCB #1 two years ago?
Highlight:
Whereas JCCB #1 attempted to map out the latest development from artists who use ceramics in their works, now, JCCB #2, in joining up with North Art Space (NAS) and Museum of Art and Ceramics, aimed to frame ceramics-use in works of art according to a central theme about “identity”. Through this theme, JCCB #2 displays the evolution of ceramics as a medium for artistic expression that brings a wide range of possibilities for further exploration.
- Whereas JCCB #1 is an attempt to map out the achievements of contemporary art that uses ceramics, JCCB#2 extends the map into a wider discourse about identity that artists explore to mark the spirit of an era.
- As with JCCB#1, the second international biennale brings to the art public how artists explore the unbounded possibilities of ceramics. Some of the artists involved in JCCB #2 participated in JCCB #1. From here, art observers may measure out how the artists – as well as the biennale itself – have progressed.
- Comparing contemporary ceramic works from Indonesia with those made by foreign artists, we are able to seek out a number of parallels especially in their attitudes towards technology, mixed media, found objects, and personal issues.
Since it was initially organized, JCCB committed in exhibiting contemporary ceramic works. This is an interesting choice, since not only it increases public awareness about this often-neglected medium, but it also showed how the forms of ceramic works has developed as we can see in the work of Prof. Chitaru Kawasaki. There were a number of drawbacks, however, in terms of the chosen venue, techniques of display, as well as security. Aside from these limitations, the ceramics biennale is pushing ahead the evolution of ceramic works, which will develop a particular aesthetics about clay.
Highlight of works:
Steven Low, Sounding Clay: Didgeridoo; Tromarama, Ons Aller Belang; Hendri Saifulhayat Heres (Heng Heng), Rhythm of Breath; Hendrawan Riyanto (1959 – 2004), Anak dan Ibu Bumi.
