The art of life<\/p>\n
For the next four weeks Indonesians, especially Jakartans, will
\nbe treated to a plethora of performing and visual arts as part of
\nthe 4th Art Summit Indonesia 2004. The start of the month-long
\nfestival is a welcome respite for residents of the bustling city,
\nwhich was again recently terrorized by a bombing.<\/p>\n
After being a first-hand witness to the horrors man is capable
\nof, the performances at the Art Summit hopefully will allow us to
\nregain our humanity and appreciation for the human race's
\ncreative talents and goodness. More than just a breath of fresh
\nair, this festival of human talent can serve to transform the
\nsenses, from the negative that permeates our official lives to
\none of positive inspiration.<\/p>\n
But festivals of this nature do not usually attract much hype
\nor audience in this city of over 10 million. For the masses,
\nthese performances are nothing more than highbrow novelties or
\nthe indulgences of vagrant art students. Unfortunate, but true.<\/p>\n
Though we lament the lack of interest, most of the
\nperformances at the summit are not geared toward mass
\nconsumption. High art and avant-garde culture, such as
\nrepresented in this festival, require a particular sense of
\naesthetics -- an appreciation usually acquired through education
\nor a refined God-given taste for object d'art.<\/p>\n
For more than a handful, vanity motivates their support for
\nthe festival: A need to parade their intellectual sophistication,
\nor, for the affluent, to be seen as having a prestigious
\navocation.<\/p>\n
Given its distinctiveness, we cannot expect hordes of people
\nto attend the Art Summit, the way people flock to a dangdut
\nconcert.<\/p>\n
While we would hope that more of us can become converts to the
\nArt Summit, the fact that it is not a money-making venture should
\nnot tempt organizers to tinker with the formula in a bid for
\nmarketability. We are reminded of the now absent jazz festival in
\nJakarta, which through the years began to incorporate an
\nincreasing number of pop-oriented acts in order to attract a
\nwider audience.<\/p>\n
Art in its purest sense is the highest form of human
\ncreativity. It is the most faithful reflection of our lives. The
\ngreatest creations of art are driven by the human heart, not the
\ncheckbook.<\/p>\n
Pop art is for the masses. More often than not, it is created,
\npackaged and sold with the intent of profit. The great Andy
\nWarhol once defined \"pop\" as the realm where art relinquishes its
\nsoulful reach for the bounty of commerce.<\/p>\n
More than just something entertaining or something pleasing to
\nlook at, the Art Summit is also a celebration of our unbridled
\nfreedom to express ourselves.<\/p>\n
Not so long ago artists, musicians and writers were abridged
\nin their expressive thought. The sincere cry and fantasy of the
\nheart were prostrate to a dominion of political correctness
\nreigned over by a repressive government. The banning of works by
\nartists, writers and journalists is the predominant symptom of
\nany suppressive society.<\/p>\n
Art helps define who we are and where we are going. It is the
\nartist and philosopher -- not the politicians, clerics or
\nbusinesspeople -- who question and push the boundaries toward a
\nmore humane society.<\/p>\n
It is for these conscientious reason that the Art Summit
\nshould receive our continued endorsement and financial support
\nfrom the government.<\/p>\n
Despite the financial circumstances, events like the Art
\nSummit should continue to acquire sponsorship from the state. It
\nis unfortunate that state funding for the current festival has
\nreportedly dropped by Rp 1 billion.<\/p>\n
Private corporations too should get more involved. Throughout
\nthe world, high art has never flourished without private
\ndonations from concerned patrons. The situation here is no
\ndifferent.<\/p>\n
Some may argue that the money would be better spent on things
\nlike education and health care. In the crudest of arguments, this
\nis true. But just as our bodies need rice to survive, so do our
\nsouls need sustenance to prevail.<\/p>\n
We hope that our Art Summit will never sell its soul, for
\nmoney or politics.<\/p>",
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