Iwan Tirta finds criticism vital to artist's work

Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Art thrives with criticism, without it artists become lackadaisical and do not produce their best work.

"Criticism from others is what drives artists," said batik connoisseur Iwan Tirta in a discussion at The Jakarta Post this week. He added that, unfortunately there is a glaring lack of professional critics in the country.

Whether for food, fashion, art or literature, there is hardly anyone these days worthy of Iwan's definition of a professional critic -- one who can write jabbing critiques subtly with extensive knowledge of the subject.

"There are a lot of people who write descriptions, but hardly anyone who actually analyzes," he said, mentioning the late "Pope" of Indonesian literature H.B. Jassin as one of the great but bygone critics of literature.

For praise alone does not produce great art, but knowledge- based criticism from a professional critic will, "which is why fashion editors are usually greatly feared during fashion shows and get front row seats," 68-year-old Iwan said.

Constructive criticism forces artists to raise the level of professionalism in their work, while lack of it means artists might get away with sloppy stagework, costumes and public relations.

"Indonesian artists nowadays have so little professionalism," Iwan remarked, adding that one of their biggest mistakes was to belittle the importance of professional management in the presentation of their work.

"They think they can do it alone. They don't want professional designers to do their costumes, or other professionals. It's a one-man show all the way, that's the trouble," he said, as a result, artists usually fail to show their best work to the audience. "Ego still plays a major role here".

According to Iwan, gyrating queen Inul Daratista was an example of an artist who is striving to be professional by employing consultants for her shows.

"She is willing to shift to a more respectable level, her clothes now are more polite. She knows that she cannot exist ad infinitum, she must plan what's next. Especially since pop culture has such a short lifespan," he said, explaining that one of the reasons singer Madonna was so successful was because she continues to reinvent her image.

The role of professional public relations and image builders are still largely overlooked by Indonesians today, whether in the art world or in politics.

"Before Roger Moore went to Indonesia (in his capacity as Unicef's Goodwill Ambassador in 2001) his PR company approached me to get some consultation about his wardrobe. They asked us how we would do it, the kind of clothes needed for his stay here," Iwan said.

Even the East Timor issue was actually won by public relations, according to Iwan, explaining that the slow response towards press coverage on East Timor was partly responsible for Indonesia lacking international support on the issue.

It is the overall packaging that attracts other people to appreciate the presentation, he said, citing the slogans "Malaysia truly Asia" with hollywood actress Michelle Yeoh, "Singapore instant Asia", and "New Asia" as examples of attractive packaging.

"Of course their promotional budgets are very large compared to Indonesia's," Iwan remarked.

Only when Indonesian artists appreciate the value of professional consultants, can their art be lifted to an international level.