Artists make disability a state of mind<\/p>\n
Ingvild Solvang, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Norwegian painter Ivar Jordre may be living proof that physical
\ndisability is a state of mind and a technological challenge
\nrather than a physical problem.<\/p>\n
With the help of an electric wheel chair and good Indonesian
\nfriends, traveling from arctic Norway to tropical Indonesia has
\nbecome an almost yearly event for him. This month, until May 20,
\nhe has taken the initiative to hold an exhibition together with a
\ngroup of Indonesian painting students from the rehabilitation
\ncenter Yakkum in Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
The exhibition, held in ViaVia cafe is titled Kuch Kuch Roda
\n(wheel) Hai playing on the title of an Indian movie hit, Kuch
\nKuch Hota Hai meaning "something happens". The humorous title is
\nchosen to challenge the notion that people with disabilities are
\ndisabled. They can indeed make things happen!<\/p>\n
"In 1989 I came here for the first time with the help of a
\nNorwegian friend," Jordre remembers. "That year I met a becak
\ndriver, who since then, and together with his family, has offered
\nme a place to stay and the assistance I need, which has made it
\npossible to come here by myself. I am fascinated by Indonesia,
\nand this fascination and love for this beautiful country,
\ntogether with my personal experience as a person with a
\ndisability, made me want to work together with people here with
\nphysical challenges."<\/p>\n
"I hope to be able to contribute to making their voices heard.
\nAt the same time the exhibition will be a meeting between
\ncultures, the Javanese and the Norwegian. Although we share some
\nsimilar experiences as people with disabilities, our cultural and
\nsocio-economic positions are very different. At this cultural
\ncrossroad we hope to be able to show some of these differences
\nbecause they add new dimensions to issues of disability, the
\nworld over."<\/p>\n
Jordre, who was educated in art in Norway, is convinced that
\nit is possible to raise awareness and shed light on important
\naspects of the lives of people with disabilities through art.<\/p>\n
Marginality has been a predominant theme of contemporary art,
\nand art has been a means to challenge the status quo values and
\npower structures, he argues.<\/p>\n
Messages conveyed through art aim to open our eyes and minds
\nto give us new perspectives and ideas. In this way art and
\ncreativity are inevitable aspects of human relations, and the
\nengine of societies in change, which includes all human societies
\nat all times. In an optimal world, this engine is allowed to run
\nsmoothly, free of censorship and forced limitations.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, in the art world not everyone is given the
\nappropriate space. As we are eager to define art and creativity,
\nsome groups of society are confined to their marginal position,
\nand their work is defined in the light of marginality.<\/p>\n
"The world according to ..." is followed by labels, "a woman",
\n"a homosexual", "and a disabled". The marginal become
\nmarginalized by definitions, and are denied the right to an
\nindividual identity, and the authority to speak of matters not
\nrelated to his or her qualities".<\/p>\n
It is important to point out that a main theme of this
\nexhibition is peace and anti-war. Puji Rahayu, one of the
\nIndonesian painters says, "by this we show that people with
\nphysical challenges have opinions about everything, and really
\ncare about the world, just like everybody else, the problem is
\nthat in Indonesia we are rarely given space and opportunity to
\nspeak out on these things. We are rarely asked our opinion."<\/p>\n
The wheel chair is used in the paintings and drawings as an
\nobject of creativity, which Jordre explains, gives the painting
\npowerful statements because the wheelchair represents experience
\nand emotions of the painters.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Puji adds, when talking about peace and anti-war,
\nthe wheelchair pinpoints the suffering of victims of war,
\nsomething that we, who have physical challenges, may be better
\nequipped to understand because of our personal experiences.
\nStill, we are not asked our opinion.<\/p>\n
Puji Rahayu, Marwan Adi Suhendro, Endang and Kukuh Kristiono
\nAdi, are four of the 13 Indonesian painters of the exhibition.
\nThey all are connected to the rehabilitation center Yakkum. Every
\nweekend they participate in classes of painting held by the
\nartist Eko Nugroho.<\/p>\n
They feel that through their paintings they can express
\nthemselves, and rid themselves of emotional concerns. Apart from
\nbeing a recreational hobby, Kukuh explains, painting expands our
\nfantasy.<\/p>\n
"The opportunities for people with physical challenges in
\nIndonesian society are very limited, Endang says.<\/p>\n
"Possibilities for work and education are few. In that way the
\narts and handicraft sphere is more open to us, and being skilled,
\ntalented and good at painting, singing or writing poetry enhances
\nour feeling of self-esteem, and may give some of us ways to make
\nan income and be independent. I also feel that people look at me
\ndifferently when they know that I am good at something," she
\nsays.<\/p>\n
Puji, who aspires to start her studies of art at the
\nIndonesian Art Institute, adds that being a person with a
\ndisability makes her work interesting, not only because of her
\nindividual outlook in the world, but also because of her
\ntechnique of painting with her feet.<\/p>\n
The painters have discussed whether using the wheelchair as a
\nmotive and an object of creativity also in a humorous and ironic
\nway could be seen as a mockery of people with disabilities.
\nSeveral of the paintings and drawings portray fantasy wheelchairs
\ndesigned for their users to go to the beach, protest for peace or
\nsell bakso (meat ball soup).<\/p>\n
The exhibition at ViaVia cafe, Jl. Prawirotaman 24b, Yogyakarta
\nuntil May 20.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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