CP Biennale 2005: A city for the people?

CP Biennale 2005: A city for the people?

Urban Culture, this year's theme of the CP Biennale asks the
question, "Who owns cities?" in the face of chaos,
misappropriation and increasing poverty in today's modern
metropolises.

While many international biennales have been held under the
urban theme, this year's CP Biennale, according to its chief
curator, Jim Supangkat, differs from the usual in that it wishes
to highlight the urban culture not as it is usually understood,
but rather urbanity as an interaction between the urban elite and
urban migrants.

With remarks from the Bank Indonesia governor, the Jakarta
vice governor and the Biennale's chief curator, a symposium on
"Urban Reflection" opened on Sept. 6. The event featured speakers
such as Hong Kong-based philosopher Timothy O'Leary, New York-
based art historian/curator Shin Yi Yang and Aksara Foundation
chair Nono Anwar Makarim, focusing on issues pertinent to the
future of Asian metropolises and those in Indonesia in
particular.

The one-month exhibition comprising paintings, sculptures,
graphic arts, pop art, cartoons, video- and installation art, as
well as architectural designs, reveals dynamics that surpass the
urban realm.

For example, painter and installation artist Mella Jaarsma and
architects Tsukamoto and Momoyo Kaijima of Tokyo Atelier Bow-Wow,
for instance, point at the increasing phenomenon of people in
need of folding/convertible or temporary shelters. Meanwhile, the
work of Indonesian sculptor/installation artist Titarubi could be
considered a metaphor for urban solutions -- that they do not
touch upon the roots of these problems.

In contrast to the groundbreaking Open CP Biennale in 2003,
this year's participation is by invitation, and includes art
groups and communities aside from individual artists.

Djie Tjianan of the organizer, CP Foundation, expressed a hope
that CP will continue to fulfill its objective of contributing to
a world art scene in which democratic principles can flourish and
plurality is possible, and which will provide a dynamic that is
inclusive instead of exclusive. -- Carla Bianpoen, contributor

CP Biennale 2005 runs from Sept. 5 through Oct. 5 at Bank
Indonesia Museum, Jl. Pintu Besar Utara 3, Jakarta Kota. For more
information, contact Naning B. Sugeng at 08151821329 or Oneng at
08156237520.