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)