Exhibitions celebrate Kartini Day
Exhibitions celebrate Kartini Day
JAKARTA (JP): A number of art exhibitions have been organized
in the city to celebrate Kartini Day.
Wisma Mitra Budaya, Jl. Tanjung 34, Central Jakarta, is
displaying the works of Kartika Affandi, Farida Srihadi and
Nunung WS in Discourse on the Frame, the Making and Unmaking of
Indonesian Women Artists, until April 25.
Galeri Milenium, Golden Plaza Building, Jl. RS Fatmawati 15,
South Jakarta, is featuring feminist Arahmaiaini's paintings and
installations in an exhibition titled Rape n' Rob. Women's
activist Ita F. Nadia is scheduled to open the exhibition tonight
(Wednesday) at 7:30 p.m., and it runs to May 11.
The Jakarta Fine Arts and Ceramics Museum, Jl. Pos Kota, West
Jakarta, is holding a painting exhibition until April 27
featuring Nina Sapoetra's work. In this historical museum
building -- it was a courthouse during Dutch rule -- Jakartans
can enjoy 70 impressionistic paintings by Nina Sapoetra.
According to Galeri Milenium's newsletter, Arahmaiaini, 38, is
an artist who is fully aware of women's issues, which do not
always necessarily relate to her arts activities.
Yani, as Arahmaiaini is known, underlined the importance of
balance between two opposing forces: the energy of feminine and
masculine, spirits and materials, nature and culture, and between
the weakness and the strength.
"In my work, I represent energies which are mutually
supportive of 'that which is above' (sky) and 'that which is
below' (earth). The dynamics of this relationship is the creative
process, and for me it is the most interesting," she was quoted
by Galeri Milenium as saying.
In her idea, imbalance takes place when one oppresses,
manipulates or enslaves another with one's economical, political
or cultural forces. Her restlessness about this imbalance is
depicted in her works displayed in Geleri Milenium. The May
riots, where many women of Chinese descent were raped, greatly
influenced her creative process.
Yani's works are totally different from Nina Sapoetra's.
Nina's artworks are strongly characterized with feminine
touches, accentuated with bright and gay colors and depicting
beautiful objects like flowers, girls, dancers and landscapes.
Her journey into finding an impressionistic style was
initiated with her involvement in designing batik, and this
precious experience explains her way of making intricate and
detailed paintings. Her meticulousness can be traced through her
diligence in depicting the exquisite dresses of the subjects.
Born in Surakarta, Central Java, and once living in East Java,
Nina is strongly and richly influenced by the Javanese culture.
And this artistic quality is perceivable in her artworks. She has
even created some paintings of wayang characters and traditional
dancers.
In Bandung, the French Cultural Center is organizing a series
of activities in observance of Kartini Day. Human rights
activist, director and actor Ratna Sarumpaet will read Kartini's
letters on Wednesday, 7:30 p.m, at the center's auditorium.
A discussion on Dewi Sartika, an important figure in
Indonesian women's education, will take place on April 29. The
center will also hold, until May 11, a documentary exhibition on
her life.
Ten female poets are scheduled to read their works on Friday
night at the center, which will be followed by a discussion with
one of the poets, Nenden A. Lilis A, and Melani Budianta, who is
on the teaching staff of the University of Indonesia.
They will also recite at Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center in
Jakarta on April 26. (sim)