A glimpse into Yogyakarta's exclusive arts settlement

A glimpse into Yogyakarta's exclusive arts settlement

By Tarko Sudiarno

YOGYAKARTA (JP): With a scruffy face, an eccentrically
dressed, long-haired young man carrying a hoe steps out of his
room. Not uttering a single word he places the hoe in between two
fruit plants. He starts to clean up the dirt stuck on the
kedondong (plum-like fruit) tree, now 75 centimeters high and
already bearing fruit. Not far away, five other young men are
splitting bamboo to make a piece of installation artwork in the
form of a globe.

That is one of the atmospheric pictures of Kampung ASRI on Jl.
Gampingan No. 1, Wirobrajan, Yogyakarta, currently occupied
mostly by students of ISI (Indonesian Arts Institute).

The village, located on the grounds of the former building of
the Fine Arts Faculty of ISI (previously called Akademi Seni Rupa
Indonesia or "ASRI" -- the Indonesian Academy of Fine Arts), is
indeed different from other villages in this "city of education".
At first glance, the exclusive ASRI village appears like a hippy
settlement.

However, once you are inside, you will be in for a surprise to
find that the residents of ASRI village, in contrast to their
eccentric appearance, are a friendly and hospitable lot. The
students, with their tousled long hair and tattoos are very open
to guests and visitors.

Certainly for the first few moments, especially if you visit
alone, you may at first fall victim to their suspicion. But after
they know you better, they soon turn into amiable company for
chatting or discussion.

Most of the students are pacifists, as reflected in their
works of art. They harbor deep suspicions of the police and the
military.

"This location happens to be the headquarters and secretariat
of several organizations, such as Lembaga Budaya Kerakyatan
Taring Padi (Populist Culture Institution Taring Padi), Forum
Pekerja Seni (Art Workers Forum), Sanggar Gondrong Seni Natural
(Gondrong Natural Art Studio) and the gathering point for ISI and
Taman Siswa students, as well as the Malioboro community.
Basically, we are open to friends who share the same vision and
mission," ASRI village administrative chief Ucup told The Jakarta
Post.

Within seconds of entering ASRI village you are left with
little doubt that the residents must all be artists, as
demonstrated by every corner and wall being covered with colorful
graffiti and scattered works of art, be it a sculpture or an
installation piece, strewn not only in open spaces but along the
corridors, in the kitchens and even in the bathrooms and toilets.
Truly, the look of an art gallery.

This village is very much open to the general public for art-
related activities. The accusations made by security authorities
and religious groups that it is the headquarters of the
Democratic People's Party (PRD) and communists really do not
stand to reason.

As was evident on that particular afternoon, the place was
bustling with artistry. Some were working on installations, in
the form of a globe to be used in a campaign in conjunction with
Earth Day, while Ucup, who enrolled with ISI in 1995, was
conversing with a Canadian visitor.

"Quite a number of foreigners come here and some even stay to
get a feel of the place," said Doddy, a former resident of ASRI
village, currently a photo journalist.

As an art village, it is distinctly marked by the presence of
private studios, some attached to bedrooms and a group studio in
a spacious hall.

"This place is just right for creative work ... ideas just pop
into your mind," commented a student, originally a resident of
Mranggen, Sleman, Yogyakarta, now staying in ASRI village,
although his home is only a few kilometers from the campus of
ISI.

Today about 35 ISI students, both men and women and three
married students, along with their families, reside in ASRI
village. It is a special "management skill" and an art in itself
taking care of these artists, coming from different regions of
the country and being artists, having a 'free' lifestyle.

Tolerance and respecting others are naturally required here.

"We never actually 'manage or regulate' this community, but
what's important is that we take care of security and order
together. It proves that we can live in harmony as we do now,"
said Ucup, a father of a two-year-old son and a twice-elected
village chief.

It is this togetherness that accentuates the entire
atmosphere, be it in the creative work of art or the necessities
of daily life, or even in just drinking together as another
reflection of intimacy. For the frequent drinking "events", an
alcoholic beverage, "Tomi" (short for the name of its brand Topi
miring meaning Slanted Hat), priced at Rp 8,000 per liter, is
another "intimate member" of the community.

Since the school of fine arts moved to the new ISI campus in
Sewon, Bantul in 1998, ASRI village started to be used by ISI as
a student hall of residence. The rooms of this more than 50-year-
old building have been cleverly improvised and magically
transformed into living places and art studios.

Improvisation is the key word. Computer tables are made out of
unused doors, some unused bathrooms have even been turned into
kitchens.

These young artists probably aspire to inherit the legacy of
artistic traditions from their already successful seniors, like
Widayat, RJ Katamsi, Djoko Pekik, Nyoman Gunarsa, Made Wianta,
Nasirun, Ivan Sagito and other big names.