The biennale that put RI on the map
The biennale that put RI on the map
I am deeply concerned about the latest issue on the CP
Biennale II in Museum Bank Indonesia. While gaining recognition
and positive publicity internationally; it was being
misunderstood and misinterpreted nationally -- to the point that
its founders decided to end the biannual art event, so this
second one will be the last.
Sadly, the misunderstanding didn't only come from the public,
but also from the artists involved. They didn't support the
committee's decision to withdraw a misinterpreted artwork --
which was seen as pornographic by some people. Some of the
artists reacted by taking down their artwork and some even
withdrew their participation from the biennale in protest,
refusing to attend and explain themselves to the public during
the closing press conference held recently.
This CP Biennale II, as The New York Times wrote "the biennale
that put Indonesia on the map", has become a stepping stone for
Indonesian contemporary artists to an international forum. This
private organization has received financial and participatory
support from many art-associated forums internationally. It is
indeed a great lost if the CP Biennale has come to an end.
Herewith, I would like to encourage everyone to be more
proactive in facing differences, instead of reactively responding
to a matter -- that will likely turn into a polemic. Our country
has suffered enough from calamities and human errors, so let's
make it a better place to live in. Grab and support any chance to
become a nation that will be recognized internationally.
Let's educate our young, not by closing their eyes, but by
teaching them how to overcome and choose responsibly. In this era
of globalization and the internet, we have limited hands and eyes
to supervise them, yet we could provide guidance, values and
religious teachings to help them choose between the many options
presented to them.
Maybe it is true that a true hero is never really appreciated
in their hometown.
VIVI YIP, Jakarta