Heridono, Main Bola (Soccer)
Talenta Organizer, art management and art event organizer – set up an art exhibition titled Grey, as a continuation from the previous exhibition of Orientasi 20+ (Jogya Living Artists) in December 2012. Grey is organized in one of the biggest shopping mall in Central Jakarta – Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, 13 to 26 May.
Grey showcases a number of artworks from paintings, sculptures and installations from a total of 32 artists – most of them are graduates from Indonesian Art Academy (Akademi Seni Rupa Indonesia/ASRI) in Yogyakarta, now it becomes Indonesian Art Institute (Institut Seni Indonesia/ISI). Some of them represent big names known to the international community such as Djoko Pekik, Heri Dono, Nasirun as well as Ivan Sagita.
According to the organizer, in terms of quality and quantity, Grey is better compared to Orientasi 20+. In terms of quantity, this exhibition involves 32 artists compared to the previous 22. In terms of quality, this exhibition is improved in terms of selection and arrangement of artworks showcased.
“We make improvements in terms of quality, for example on how we arrange the works. This time the paintings are set on the wall, in the previous exhibition we put them on the panel. In terms of selection, we are more selective this time, in terms of setting or interior, we consult with the people of Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta for lay out, arrangement and so forth,” explains Talenta Organizer spokeperson, Purnomo, to Sarasvati. Mall is chosen as the venue in order to facilitate and attract the general public into the exhibition.
“For me, mall is the best venue for audience and artworks to meet,” explains Purnomo. According to him, while visitors of the mall might have various interests to go to the mall, he hopes that this event would attract public attention so they can get to know art a little better. Moreover, mall is a venue that facilitates people to see arts as well as do other activities at the same time. Art gallery, according to Purnomo, tends to be too segmented and is visited only during the opening ceremony.
According to M. Dwi Mariyanto, ISI Yogyakarta academic staff, requested by Talenta Organizer to write his review on the exhibition in the catalog, the title Grey is chosen as it reflects the concern of participating artists in response to uncertain social political conditions.
“I agree that the theme is in line with the book I am writing based on quantum physics, elaborating the notion that reality is in fact uncertain,” explains Dwi, in reference to an adagium in quantum mechanics, Heisenberg’s the Uncertainty Principles.
Purnomo confirms this uncertain. He explains the process when he offers the concept to participating artists – they agree to choose the name Grey. “To me, the situation in our country is grayish now: our legal, social, political and anything are grayish now. We agree after a long discussion process,” explains Purnomo.
This theme is made as one of the criteria to select the works. That is why in Grey, there are a number of artworks of social protests. For example, Main Bola or Soccer by Heri Dono is criticizing the internal dispute of Indonesia’s Soccer Association (Persatuan Sepakbola Seluruh Indonesia/PSSI), Malioboro Masih Ada Batik di Sini or Malioboro Batik is Available Here by Melodia that criticizes the loosing battle Indonesia’s local batik is having against Malaysia and China’s export, as well as Ratu Adil or Just King made by Noor Ibrahim elaborating the hopes of the people in Indonesia for social political conditions free from oppression and violence.
In line with Grey on social political uncertainty, Talenta also explains that this exhibition is not looking for commercial interests as it focuses more on education and cultural preservation by introducing art and their artists to the public. That is why Grey also includes artists relatively unknown to the general public, including Sinik, Sujono and Wiyono.
This exhibition involves artists for the duration of the exhibition, not just the opening. Talenta Organizer hopes that the general public would know and appreciate artists better. “This is to avoid people liking Nasirun’s work but have no idea which one is Nasirun,” explains Purnomo. Yet, not all artists can attend throughout the exhibition. Regarding market analysis on the showcased works, Purnomo predicts that 60% would be sold, depending on the economic condition of Indonesia during the exhibition.
“For me, what matters is the exhibition, the money can come later. If capital gain is the priority, we would rather choose the saleable works and not involve young artists,” explains Purnomo.
M. Dwi Marianto suggests that the artists should be responsive to face the declining market by being more flexible and smart without letting go of their creativity. “I believe that artists should think of alternatives, so we have to look for options. We should avoid over-dependence on our arts, because it means we are dependent on collectors,” explains Dwi.
Noor Ibrahim, Ratu Adil
