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.