Nokia supports art development

Nokia supports art development

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Carla Bianpoen
Contributor
Jakarta
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If it is true that art expresses the tenor of the times, then
most works of art should be about a world full of hate, envy,
greed and violence.

Today, the tide seems to be turning, that is, if we take the
NOKIA Arts Awards Asia Pacific 2001 exhibition as a starting
point. The contest, which took the theme Eye on the World,
resulted in an initial selection of 20 works chosen from a total
of 249 entries. The jury were looking for art works that stood
out for their creativity and skill, but also for their vision of
hope and expectation for the future.

"We agreed it was time to be done with gloom," said Dwi
Marianto, one of the jurors, adding that one must now try to look
for the sunny side of the street. That was easier said than done.
Of the 20 considered eligible, only three entries emerged as
winners after further selection.

Although the theme Eye on the World is actually open to a
broad range of interpretations, the works show that most artists
have taken "the world" to mean something that does not cross the
borders of their own world, not anything that could include the
metaphysical.

Perhaps this is unavoidable, given the age limit of 17-25.
However, there is some wisdom and this is surprisingly found with
the youngest of the winners.

Regor Nofrianto, 17, reminds us that one must learn from the
past to make a better future. "I used to be a naughty boy and I
still am sometimes," he said. "But don't be surprised if I also
have an aim in life. I will open an old page so that I will know
which mistakes to avoid when opening a new page."

There is also concern expressed, like in the work of 24-year-
old M. Andi Dwi I. who wonders about the disadvantages of
technological advancement, desiring new scientific inventions
that could allow development to proceed without damaging the
environment. The little boy with an old face on canvas is not
exactly the image of a bright future, but the red colored
background seems to makes up the balance.

Certainly more mischievous was the work of Januri, 24, in his
painting featuring a farmer swinging a hoe over the city in an
act of almost playful protest against building constructions that
are occupying more and more agricultural land. One may recognize
a touch of Chagall and a hint of George Braque.

Nevertheless, the entries this year were encouraging in the
eyes of the five jurors, consisting of Astari Rasjid (painter and
lecturer at the Jakarta Fine Arts Institute), Dolorosa Sinaga
(sculptor and lecturer at the above institution), Hendrowijanto
(independent curator), Dwi Marianto (curator and lecturer at the
Yogyakarta-based Indonesian Institute of Arts) and Nicole Go of
Nokia.

Inviting young artists to prove their ability is one of the
strategies that the well-known Nokia mobile phone company adopted
three years ago. The company supports the arts as a natural
element of Nokia itself, says Country Manager Shaun Colligan when
asked what benefits the company receives from the contest. Yet,
whether there is a promotional intent or not, it remains a great
opportunity for young talents to advance and take their skills to
higher planes.

The three award-winning artists each received Rp 5 million
plus a mobile phone. They will participate in the larger scale
Asia Pacific Contest next January, the winner of which will be
offered the opportunity to study and work in New York for one
full year.

As Astari Rasjid explains, this time there were more
participants than in previous years. Fourteen are from
Yogyakarta, three from Bandung and three from Bali, but none from
Jakarta.

With Nokia, Philip Morris and Total Indonesia supporting the
contemporary arts, artists need only seize the opportunity to
bring their talents to fruition.

The 20 NOKIA award-winning works are on display at Taman
Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Cikini Raya, from Oct. 25 through Oct. 30.