Russian Collection III unveiled in Jakarta<\/p>\n
Evi Mariani and Karen Stingemore, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Boasting 139 contemporary paintings by 16 artists, the third
\nRussian Collection exhibition was unveiled at the National
\nGallery of Indonesia to commemorate the 55th year of close ties
\nbetween Russia and Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Attended by first lady Kristiani Herawati Bambang Yudhoyono,
\nabout a dozen ambassadors and dozens of painting collectors the
\nopening ceremony got a warm reception from the assembled art
\ncognoscenti.<\/p>\n
Most of the paintings on display showed new pieces from
\nseveral young Russian artists like Tatyana Fedorova and Olga
\nYausheva, as well as more established painters like realist
\nVictor Shilov and Vladimir Anisimov, the head of the Bureau of
\nCreative Expedition, who is also the curator in the exhibition.<\/p>\n
Some of the artists had come to Java, Bali and Sumatra and
\npainted landscapes and other objects like tropical fruit under
\nthe program of the bureau.<\/p>\n
Organized by the bureau and the Russian Embassy in Jakarta,
\nthe exhibition is displaying mostly Impressionist, Realist and
\nExpressionist paintings that largely stick to the art traditions
\nof a couple of centuries ago.<\/p>\n
Therefore, the ambience created at the gallery, which is also
\nan old building, emanated from the 18th or 19th century as well
\nas the present day.<\/p>\n
There was a mix of genres presented at the exhibition,
\nincluding some striking pastel Impressionist pieces and some
\nbeautiful Indonesian landscapes.<\/p>\n
There were many Contemporary Realist paintings, this genre
\nwell-known for giving a simple approach to representation.<\/p>\n
Socialist realism was the only form of painting allowed from
\nthe end of the Russian Civil War in 1922 until the dissolution of
\nthe former Soviet Union in 1991, so it is no wonder that realism
\nis still proving to be popular with Russian artists.<\/p>\n
Socialist realism was realistic art aimed at supporting the
\nideals of socialism and communism by portraying the workers'
\nstruggle towards socialist progress.<\/p>\n
The exhibition not only gives patrons the opportunity to see
\nvarious aspects of Indonesian life captured through the eyes of
\nRussian painters but offers a further insight into the emerging
\ntrends and genres taken up by Russian painters following the
\ndissolution of the Soviet Union.<\/p>\n
Anisimov, who escorted the first lady on an exclusive viewing
\nof the paintings, said that Ibu Ani showed interest in some
\npaintings, including some that featured Indonesia.<\/p>\n
She also showed interest in a large painting of a Russian
\nballerina by Fedorova. This particular painting attracted many
\nvisitors, too.<\/p>\n
"I'm interested in some paintings here. But the prices are
\nquite high although we don't know a thing about the artists,"
\nYanti Tambunan, a collector and painter, said.<\/p>\n
She added the organizers quoted a price of more than Rp 200
\nmillion for the ballerina painting and more than Rp 150 million
\nfor another.<\/p>\n
Yanti, who has a collection of about 50 paintings including
\nwork by Jeihan, Popo Iskandar and Barli, said that she might as
\nwell buy paintings at a similar price by well-known Indonesian
\nartists.<\/p>\n
"At least I would know that I'd made a smart investment,"
\nYanti said, regretting that the exhibition organizers did not
\nprovide enough information on the painters.<\/p>\n
The organizers had provided artist biographies in several
\ncatalogs. However, people had to buy them. The cheapest was a
\ncompact disc that cost Rp 100,000 (US$11).<\/p>\n
However, she added that most Indonesians were not familiar
\nwith Russian painters anyway, so that made it difficult for her
\nto decide whether Russian paintings would be a good investment or
\nnot.<\/p>\n
The Russian Collection exhibition in Indonesia started in 2000
\nand was staged for the second time in 2003.<\/p>\n
During the third Russian Collection, the organizers also
\ndisplayed some photographs recalling Russia-Indonesia ties. Most
\nfeatured founding Indonesian president Sukarno.<\/p>\n
in box:
\nRussian Collection III
\nthrough Aug. 20
\nNational Gallery of Indonesia
\nJl. Medan Merdeka Timur No. 14
\nCentral Jakarta<\/p>\n
captions
\n;JP;ANT;
\nANPAv..r..
\ncaption-russia-painting
\nJP\/18\/rus-cap<\/p>\n
A:
\nBallerina in a looking glass by Tatyana Fedorova<\/p>\n
B:
\nRiver Kertapati, Sumatra, by Vladimir Anisimov<\/p>\n
C:
\nBoats in Bengkulu, Sumatra, by Vladimir Anisimov<\/p>\n
D:<\/p>\n
First lady Kristiani Herawati Bambang Yudhoyono (left) receives
\nIstana Bogor by Russian Olga Yausheva from the wife (center) of
\npainter-cum-curator Vladimir Anisimov (right) at the opening of
\nRussian Collection III at the National Gallery.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/russian-collection-iii-unveiled-in-jakarta-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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