Theatrical effects highlighted visual works
Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
Will the Indonesian Art Summit 2004 be the peak of the creative process for visual artists, since this year marks their first participation in the one-month long festival?
Art critic Mamannoor said this was a lingering question for him when he was asked to be part of a preliminary team to formulate the theme for visual art that would be linked to the Summit's broader theme, Creativity for Tolerance and Peace. The confusion was partly because there was the immediate task of formulating criteria for artists to join the festival.
"Of course this inclusion (of visual art in the Summit) is good and must be appreciated. But from the beginning we have been hampered by the word 'summit'. Is it going to be the peak of the artists' creative process or the ultimate achievement of being artists or something else? It's a bit hard for us because it's a silent expression, unlike other art forms."
The first festival in 1995 only focused on music and dance, while the second and third festivals in 1998 and 2001 added theatrical performances.
"In the meantime, since it's the first participation, we will still focus on accommodating the existing theme and the artists' works as a medium to convey their messages," Mamannoor told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
Twenty-five artists from Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, Japan, France, and Pakistan -- selected over a one-year period -- have agreed to showcase their works in the 4th Art Summit Indonesia 2004 International Festival on Contemporary Performing & Visual Arts, under the theme Tolerance and Peace.
Particularly in the visual art, the 30 works -- paintings, photos and installations -- of the artists must go under the sub- theme of theatricality in visual art.
"We need to see how the theme is translated by artists in their works to convey the message of tolerance and peace," said Mamannoor who is himself an art lecturer.
Another summit committee member Rizki A. Jaelani said the festival would be a venue for senior and younger artists to interact and share their experience, for they are living under the same umbrella -- contemporary art.
"All of these artists are regarded as outstanding names in contemporary art. They must submit works that were produced at least three years ago and of course go with our theme. In our selection, we will put more weight on the theatricality of the works," Rizki said.
Mamannoor added that one of the works was Ning from the late Hendrawan Riyanto."This is specially included because we wish to honor Hendrawan. Also we want to say that a person can reach his or her peak when one has passed away. It's a summit for Hendrawan,"
Artists :
Indonesia : Agus Suwage, Anusapati, Arahmaini, Dikdik Sayahdikumullah, Dolorosa Sinaga, Hendrawan Riyanto, Heri Dono, IGK Murniasih, Krisna Murti, Made Wianta, Mella Jaarsma, Ninditiyo Adipurnomo, Nyoman Erawan, Oscar Motulloh, S Teddy D, Tisna Sanjaya, Yusra Martunus.
Australia : Eliza Hutchison and Darren Siwes.
Japan : Hiromi Masuda and Nakao Majima
France : Bruno Samper and Pierre Giner.
Thailand : Sutee Kunavichayanont
Pakistan : Rashid Rana
Indonesian Nasional Gallery, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur No 14; Central Jakarta; Tel. 62-21-34833954, 34833955, 3813021; Sept. 12 through Oct. 10, 2004; www.artsummitindonesia.com.