Commotion Erupts at ARTJOG 2026 Opening, Committee Speaks Out

A commotion broke out following the opening of ARTJOG 2026 at the Jogja National Museum (JNM) complex on Friday evening (19/6/2026). The incident began with an action by a participant performing performance art in the front area of the exhibition venue.

ARTJOG PR Director Amelberga stated that the committee initially did not know the exact chronology of events as they were inside the venue when the situation became chaotic. She said that during the action, the perpetrator allegedly threw red paint at the facade artwork.

‘I was upstairs in the office, and suddenly there was a commotion. We tried to trace it with colleagues and it turned out there was initially a performance out front,’ Amel said when met by detikJogja at the location.

Amel explained that ARTJOG is in principle open to various forms of expression. However, the committee does not know in detail the intention behind the action. ‘There was paint throwing. Perhaps aimed at the ARTJOG lettering, but what is clear is that it hit Mas Roby’s facade artwork,’ she said.

Amel explained that after the action occurred, the situation at the location became chaotic. The perpetrator was then brought inside and met with one of ARTJOG’s representatives, Gading. At that time, the perpetrator claimed he only wanted to perform. However, the perpetrator also claimed that he had been hit by someone said to be from ARTJOG.

‘’I just want to perform.’ Then he said, ‘I was hit.’ We were also shocked and did not understand. He said it was an ARTJOG person, but when asked how he knew, he said because they were wearing a grey shirt,’ she revealed.

Nevertheless, ARTJOG admitted they had not yet obtained evidence or information to corroborate the alleged assault. ‘He only said he was hit, but there was no physical evidence or explanation of who hit him,’ Amel said.

Amel explained that the perpetrator then handed over leaflets containing aspirations to the ARTJOG committee. According to her, the distribution of leaflets was suspected to be part of the series of actions carried out. ‘After performing, he distributed leaflets. We received them, and after that it was over and he went home,’ she said.

According to Amel, ARTJOG also does not yet know the identity or group behind the action. From a number of video recordings collected, she said the action appeared to be carried out by only one person. ‘What I saw in the footage was one person wearing a head covering,’ she said.

Amel suspects the action is related to the polemic linking Didit Prabowo as one of ARTJOG’s main sponsors. This is because several circulating videos originated from accounts that had previously been active in criticising the organisation of ARTJOG. ‘Perhaps they are still voicing the same thing. From ARTJOG’s side, we respect that as freedom of expression,’ she said.

Amelberga added that security during the incident was handled by police officers on guard at the location and by JNM security personnel. Meanwhile, the ARTJOG area coordinator was still inside the venue at the time because the atmosphere of the exhibition opening was still quite busy. ‘Those who secured the situation were several police officers who were on guard and security from JNM. After that, he also went straight home and the situation returned to being conducive,’ she concluded.