Indonesian artwork in spotlight at World Economic Forum

Indonesian artwork in spotlight at World Economic Forum

By Dini S. Djalal

JAKARTA (JP): When the 1,700 guests of the World Economic
Forum (WEF) meet in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 31, Indonesia's
delegation is hoping that the gathering won't be just another
excuse for talking shop.

As the hosts of Indonesia Night, the cultural evening jointly
put together by the Indonesian Fine Arts Foundation and the
Investment Coordinating Board, they hope that the audience,
consisting of at least 20 heads of state and 100 state ministers,
will also talk about Indonesia as a cultural treasure.

Indonesia is the only country in the cultural spotlight this
year, following Tunisia last year and India the year before. But
what separates this year's song-and-dance routine from other
cultural shows is Indonesia's insistence on holding an
exclusively Indonesian art exhibition -- a first for both WEF and
Indonesia.

"Usually, the artwork featured in the exhibit at Davos comes
from everywhere, but the Indonesian Arts Foundation approached
the WEF and asked if all the art could come from Indonesia,"
explained Ibu Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo, the wife of State Minister
of Investment Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo, who is also chairman of the
Indonesian Fine Arts Foundation. How did she convince them to
agree? "Well, the WEF Committee came here, saw the art and the
artists, and said `yes'," she explained. Indonesia Night, and
Indonesian Modern Art and Beyond, the book accompanying the
exhibition, was launched Tuesday at the Regent Ballroom.

It was, and will be, an evening of traditional songs and
dances, as well as a fashion show by batik artist Iwan Tirta and
embroidery master Ramli. No stranger to international exhibits
and fashion shows, Iwan Tirta is unfazed by the WEF event.

"It's good exposure, sure. Businessmen love to see pretty
girls," said Tirta. "But my real big show will be in Paris, where
I'm showing 50 new gowns."

For the WEF show, Tirta is presenting a luxury collection of
prada (gold) batik gowns, many of which will be sporting the look
of the moment: one-shouldered asymmetry.

But the real beneficiaries of the show will be Indonesia's art
world. "This is not an international art event, but a lot of
decisionmakers will be present there," said Jim Supangkat, art
critic, curator and author of Indonesian Modern Art and Beyond.
The book was co-published by Pelita Harapan University in Lippo
Karawaci, owned by the Lippo Group. Supangkat adds that the WEF
is renowned for its high appreciation of art. "The president of
the WEF, Klaus Schwarz, believes that economic diplomacy has to
follow cultural aspects, so in 1990, he organized the Global Art
Forum. The WEF is unlike other economic forums. The Indonesian
art exhibit will not be just a sideshow," said Supangkat. Two
years ago, internationally acclaimed Frank Stella was the
featured artist at Davos.

Astari Rasjid, director at the Indonesian Fine Arts
Foundation, agrees that the WEF is a good opportunity to boost
Indonesian art. "It's strictly exposure, but it's good exposure,"
said Astari. Realizing the different esthetics of the
international art community, the foundation was careful in
choosing the works to be displayed. "They like simple, minimalist
art, not just decorative art. We knew their level of appreciation
and arranged the exhibit according to their taste," said Astari.

But the foundation is not shying away from showcasing artwork
reflecting the concerns of Indonesia's contemporary artists, many
of whom dwell on themes of social and economic inequity.
Supangkat said Dede Eri Supria, whose work Labyrinth is part of
the six-artist exhibit, "has critical aspects in his work". The
other artists featured in the show are Srihadi Sudarsono, Ida
Hadjar, and sculptors Nyoman Nuarta, Edith Ratna and Anusapati.

Supangkat adds that his book further delves into the
complexities of the Indonesian art scene. "Many foreigners don't
know that traditional art as a unitary entity does not exist in
Indonesia. We have more than 300 cultures and hence, just as many
art traditions," said Supangkat.

Works illustrating social and economic injustices are part of
this diversity, and are integral to the development of
contemporary Indonesian art. But Supangkat clarifies that such
art is not unique to this era, and has long been a channel of
expression for the downtrodden. "Art showing social concern has
been around since before the republic and during the nationalist
era. Social criticism was always there," said Supangkat.

Indeed, the entire cultural festival would not have been
possible without corporate and government sponsorship. Among the
hosts of the show are State Minister of Investment Sanyoto
Sastrowardoyo, Coordinating Minister for Production and
Distribution Hartarto, Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman
Djojonegoro, and President Soeharto's daughter Siti Hediati
Harijadi, who commented to The Jakarta Post that the purpose of
the show is "to show Indonesia's cultural wealth". Sculptor
Dolorosa Sinaga, whose works are also on exhibit at the Regent,
said, "I guess having influential government people behind the
art scene makes things happen a lot easier."

Ibu Sanyoto says her patronage is a labor of love. "I went to
art school when I was younger, but my life became busy," she
said. "My appreciation for art is still there though, and it
helps that my husband likes art too."