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)