Theatrical effects highlighted visual works

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.