Foreign art and craft exhibitors attract visitors
Foreign art and craft exhibitors attract visitors
JAKARTA (JP): Foreign exhibitors with crafts and live
performances attracted a large crowd of visitors at the Art and
Craft Exhibition at the Jakarta Convention Center in Central
Jakarta yesterday.
All seats around the stage of the South Korean exhibitor were
filled as people watched a traditional Dong-Rye dance, performed
by participants from the Republic of Korea.
The dancers wearing Gat (black hats) and Dopo (traditional
dresses) imitated swan actions depicting the facts of life.
"The performance was stunning. If it wasn't for this event, I
don't think I'd have time to see the event," Kris, a visitor who
brought his daughter along, said.
The Korean artists also performed a tea ritual for interested
viewers.
Participants from Mexico displayed tree bark paintings and
stone sculptures by peasants.
Some people were interested in buying the paintings, which
were made from bark of various trees decorated with floral
designs and scenes taken from daily village life.
"The crafts are not for sale today, but we will sell them when
the exhibition ends Sunday," Sukiwan, an exhibition guide, said.
Prices ranged between US$70 and $80 each, while sculptures
will be sold for up to $600 per item.
A visitor looked disappointed when a guide at the Peruvian
stand said that the country's traditional clothing, which was
among crafts on display, was not for sale.
"I'm interested in the clothing, where can I get it if it's
not for sale here?" he asked.
Peru also displayed contemporary paintings by Narda Allende
and other crafts. However, only the paintings were for sale.
The Australian stand displayed quilts, which were being sold
for between Rp 175,000 (US$71.70) and Rp 2.8 million each.
"So far, we've only sold a quilt for Rp 2.5 million. After the
event, 10 percent of all sales will be donated to Citra Baru, a
foundation which assists people with severe medical problems,"
the stand's guide, Sulis Indiarto, said.
Another exhibitor, Malaysia, provided information on tourism,
while the Philippines displayed Fernando Modesto paintings.
The three-day exhibition, which will end at 6 p.m. today, is
part of Jakarta International Festival 1997 (Jakfest '97), which
is held in conjunction with Jakarta's 470th anniversary. The
festival was opened by Deputy Governor for Economic and
Development Affairs Tb.M. Rais Thursday evening.
Six foreign countries and 16 local participants are taking
part in the event.
The exhibition is being held in cooperation with the Jakarta
municipality, Jakarta Promotion Board and Garuda Indonesia.
Indonesian stands, however, failed to lure visitors, because
most stands displayed products available at city shopping
centers, such as lady handbags, bedsheets and ready-made
clothing.
"I don't like what I see. I can find those (products) at
malls," a visitor, Pudjianto, said.
Fortunately, a live puppet-painting demonstration by skilled
artists helped attract visitors. Some foreign visitors even took
some pictures.
Local stands packed with visitors were those displaying
ceramics, puppets, original leather products, batik clothing and
silver crafts.
An organizing committee official, Risti, said that the
committee predicted the number of visitors would peak today.
"On Friday, we had 450 visitors. Today (Saturday), more
visitors are expected to come in the afternoon," she said.
Today, Jakfest participants will parade along Jl. M.H.
Thamrin, from the National Monument (Monas) to the roundabout in
front of Hotel Indonesia, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Around 500
participants, including 350 from Indonesia, are scheduled to take
part in the cultural procession. (ste)