Biennale X to close with auction<\/p>\n
By Amir Sidharta<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The works from Biennale X, Jakarta's tenth fine
\narts biennial, will be auctioned off tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at
\nthe Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Approximately 90 paintings will be offered at estimates from a
\nmodest Rp 1 million to a lavish sum of Rp 60 million.<\/p>\n
Paintings by Herry Dim, an artist who usually does
\ninstallations, are also priced quite low. However, his paintings
\nmay be a little too obscure for the average collector.<\/p>\n
Hanura Hosea's Meeting of the Taste Committee (1996), a 90 by
\n100 centimeter acrylic on canvas, might be the most popular piece
\non offer. It has been commended by some art critics in Indonesia
\nfor its cynical social commentary. Though one of the lowest
\npriced paintings in the auction at Rp 1 million, it is expected
\nto be sold for much more. Hanura's second painting, Obedient
\nParticipants, is a large and very interesting piece which is also
\nvery reasonably priced.<\/p>\n
Rudi S.T. Darma's sketches display the high potential of the
\nartist. Although the paintings do not stand out, they have been
\nsought after by a few collectors. Four watercolors by young
\nartist Bunga Jeruk Permata Pekerti, titled Alamanda, Ex-Bride, To
\nSolo, and Dinner for Two are all romantic depictions which seem
\nto be set in Europe. Each priced at Rp 1.5 million, the idyllic
\npaintings are also expected to sell well.<\/p>\n
Another very popular painter is Jerry Thung. Three Golden
\nPoints and Borobudur, with estimates of Rp 2.5 million and Rp 5
\nmillion, have generated a lot of interest. Many believe them to
\nbe perfect for a Chinese or Japanese restaurant in Indonesia, as
\nthey contain visual elements of Indonesian culture and are
\nhandled with exquisite simplicity.<\/p>\n
Toward the end of the biennial, a foreign art dealer expressed
\ninterest in purchasing some of the paintings directly. When he
\nwas informed that all the works were to be auctioned, he was
\nrather skeptical. He was not happy when he found out that his
\nclient was among those who had already expressed interest in the
\npainting.<\/p>\n
Nasirun, whose works belong to what I call the Yogyakarta
\nExpressionist school, is offering his paintings for prices
\nranging from Rp 5 million to Rp 10 million.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, budding Balinese artist Nyoman Erawan, who emerged
\nin the previous biennial with his installations, appears this
\nyear with strong paintings. The paintings range from Rp 8 million
\nto Rp 26 million. The difference in pricing is usually based on
\nsize.<\/p>\n
Some of the paintings to be offered are steep in price. Dan
\nHisman Kartakusumah's Floating Mass (acrylic on plywood, 1996) is
\nindeed a large piece. However, many doubt that it will be sold
\nfor the asking price of Rp 45 million.<\/p>\n
Utoyo Hadi's 1996 Jubah Emas (oil on canvas, 120 by 145 cm)
\nhas a high asking price of Rp 35 million. The curators of the
\nbiennial say that a lot of people asked about this piece, but
\nbacked out when they heard the price. However, the painter has
\noffered to present two other paintings for Rp 10 million each.<\/p>\n
Astari Rasyid's 1996 Temple of Efflorescence (oil on canvas,
\n200 by 130 cm), has been hailed as the artist's best painting. It
\nis priced rather dearly at Rp 35 million. However, the organizers
\nof the biennial seem to have no doubt that the painting will
\nsell.<\/p>\n
Finally, the most impressive piece is Dede Eri Supria's
\nBetween the Gate II. Unlike his other paintings which
\ninclude human figures, this painting is devoid of human
\nrepresentation.<\/p>\n
Some art critics have attributed the artist's reluctance to
\nportray human figures to his recent haj pilgrimage. This large
\noil on canvas, measuring two meters high and four meters wide, is
\nthe show's largest piece as well as the most expensive. Priced at
\nRp 60 million, it is actually quite reasonable, as the artist's
\nsmaller works sell for Rp 30 million.<\/p>\n
Organizers of the show hope that some major collectors or
\ncorporations will show interest in this painting. Dede is
\ncertainly one of the most famous artists to have participated in
\nthe biennial.<\/p>\n
Proceeds from the auction will go to the Biennial Committee to
\nprepare for the next biennial. Initially, the committee rejected
\nthe proposal of the auction, saying that it would contaminate the
\nsanctity of the biennial institution. However, when one of the
\nworks selected for the show by the committee turned out to be
\nsold to a collector, the committee realized that the biennial
\nadds value. If the committee did not reap the profits from the
\nsale of the paintings, then galleries and dealers would take the
\nopportunity instead.<\/p>\n
Some of the artists do not support the auction, but most think
\nit is a good idea. After all, the biennials that have been held
\nsince 1972 have helped many emerging artists find their place on
\nthe Indonesian fine arts map.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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