Commercialism or creativity in art?<\/p>\n
Kartika Bagus C., The Jakarta Post, Surakarta, Central Java<\/p>\n
Surakarta formerly served as the administrative center of the
\nancient Mataram Kingdom. In more recent times, the city has
\nbecome more famous as a city of Javanese culture and a home to
\nmany artists.<\/p>\n
Nowadays, Surakarta has a Pujasari painting community which is
\nquite well-known, not only among the locals, but also among
\nforeigners.<\/p>\n
Pujasari is an art market located in the one-hectare Pujasari
\nRestaurant Complex in Sriwedari on Jl. Slamet Riyadi. The
\nrestaurant is situated at the front and right part of the area,
\nwhile in the middle of the compound there are 30 art galleries.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, only 10 of them have survived.<\/p>\n
It is sad to see that the Pujasari painting community has
\nfailed to flourish as some artists and art critics label it a
\nproducer of cheap and commercialized paintings.<\/p>\n
One of the senior artists in Pujasari, Luluk Soemitro, 62,
\nacknowledges that many of his colleagues are trapped in a cycle
\nof commercialization because they need money. Instead of
\ndeveloping creativity, many artists produce items just to fulfill
\nthe market demand.<\/p>\n
As for Soemitro, he has chosen a middle ground. He still
\nmaintains his creative idealism in some of his pieces but he also
\nfollows the latest trend in others when he takes orders from
\ncustomers.<\/p>\n
\"A painter needs idealism, but also needs money,\" said the
\nowner of Warung Seni art gallery.<\/p>\n
An art critic and teacher at the state-run Sebelas Maret
\nUniversity in Surakarta, Narsen Afatara, said that the Pujasari
\npainting community should be able to survive on the local level
\nbecause their work is appreciated by the people.<\/p>\n
\"In general, their paintings have a place in the heart of the
\npeople and are well-appreciated because, so far, the people still
\nlike those kinds of realist and expressionist paintings, as well
\nas the abstract ones,\" he said.<\/p>\n
When asked about appreciation on a national level, Narsen,
\nquestioned the definition of a \"national\" painter.<\/p>\n
\"Is it someone appreciated by the people nationwide because of
\nhis work or just his popularity?\"<\/p>\n
\"If the emphasis is on the appreciation of his art, then the
\nPujasari artists are quite successful. They can survive
\ndomestically and deserve two thumbs up,\" said Narsen.<\/p>\n
He added that many foreigners also bought the paintings,
\nfurther proof that the paintings were popular enough.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that some frown upon their art, the Pujasari
\nartists still have loyal customers. Some even purchase large
\nquantities for resale.<\/p>\n
The paintings have large price range, from hundreds of
\nthousands rupiah up to Rp 20 million (US$2,353).<\/p>\n
Those in demand most have a traditional touch. Foreigners are
\nparticularly interested in the paintings of traditional markets,
\nSurakarta Palace and the activities of common people.<\/p>\n
The Pujasari art center enjoys its peak season during the Idul
\nFitri holidays, when many Surakartans, who now reside outside the
\ncity, return home and buy paintings. They usually like colorful
\npaintings, such as tropical fish, roses, village panoramas and
\nfruit.<\/p>\n
Last year, the Pujasari painting community officially
\nestablished a new organization called the Association of
\nSurakarta Painters (HPS). It currently has 125 members. While the
\nsenior ones are mostly naturalists and realists, the younger ones
\nare more interested in modern and contemporary arts.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the association, Sulistyo Hadinagoro, said that he
\nwanted to improve the image of the Pujasari painting community
\nand improve the professionalism of its members by organizing
\nnational painting exhibitions and staging monthly training
\nseminars.<\/p>\n
\"We want to improve our image, not just as people who paint,
\nbut as artists. And it takes time,\" said the painter, who has
\nreceived an award from the Surakarta Palace and another from the
\nIndonesian Parenthood Association in conjunction with UNICEF.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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