Indonesia, cinque artisti

Ben cinque artisti troveranno posto all'Arsenale per l'Indonesia, essi sono : Albert Yonathan Setiawan, Sri Astari, Eko Nugroho, Entang Wiharso, Titarubi.

Curatori: Carla Bianpoen, Rifky Effendy, Achille Bonito Oliva

Jakarta, July 25, 2012 – In 2013, Indonesia will present its own National Pavilion in the world’s most acclaimed and prestigious art exhibition, the Venice Biennale. First time in history, the Indonesian Pavilion will be located on a 500 square meters space in the Arsenale, one of the two main expo areas. The next Biennale will runs from June-November 2013.

The Venice Biennale is the largest and the most prestigious art exhibition in the world. Held every two years, its history goes back over a century ago and the initial 30 national pavilions have increased to 89 in 2011. Next year will be the 55th edition of the international art exhibition, presided by Paolo Baratta, with Massimiliano Gioni as the Director of the Visual Arts Section.

PT Bumi Purnati Indonesia, an independent company founded in 2007, is acting as the initiator and organizer of the Indonesia Pavilion. Bumi Purnati has been engaged in performing arts, exhibitions, as art consultants, as well as producers of art events on national and international level.

“Our participation represents both a coming-of-age for our contemporary artists and global recognition of their creativity,” said Bumi Purnati Director Restu Kusumaningrum. “The Indonesia Pavilion at the Venice Biennale is a milestone in the country’s contemporary art, which I believe will prove the sophisticated creativity and uniqueness of Indonesia’s contemporary artists and their oeuvre.”

The five contemporary artists representing Indonesia at the 2013 Biennale, are Albert Yonathan Setiawan, Sri Astari, Eko Nugroho, Entang Wiharso, and Titarubi, each of whose work have their own individual characteristic, representing the diversity in Indonesian contemporary art, says Carla Bianpoen, the head of the Artistic Team. Astari is interested in re-reading the Javanese tradition with its symbolism and specific values, and reconciling them with the spirit of today. Albert Yonathan is a ceramist who explores the relationship and spiritual dimension of humans with Nature, elevating ceramics to a form of high and performative art. Eko Nugroho’s work is grounded in local traditions mixed with popular global culture, narrating in a humoristic manner his comments on life around him and in the wide world. Entang Wiharso has a style that reminds of the past and the future, weaving personal stories and experiences into the greater narrative on the humankind. Titarubi was trained as a ceramist but expand her skills to sculptures and installation art using various materials. She explores gender relations, historical feats and the rich heritage of Indonesia. While they are all rooted in the culture in which they were born and raised, their works signal the birth of a new culture adjusting to the spirit of today.

As regards selection criteria, curator Rifky Effendi, who has been engaged in curating and co-curating prominent exhibitions in Indonesia and Asia Pacific and regularly contributes to general and art media publications, explained that the selection was a long process during which he, together with the Artistic Team and the Producers have had intensive discussions, the major criteria being the artists’ track record and potential to work together to make the pavilion an important example of Indonesian contemporary art at global level.

The Bumi Purnati Team is currently making arrangements for a single exhibit inside the Arsenale, a former shipyard of high historical significance and one of the two main Biennale venues. By participating in the Venice Biennale 2013, the Pavilion will help position Indonesia as a country where a vibrant contemporary art scene is a natural reflection of a rich cultural heritage. It also shows that it is ready to take its place in the international contemporary arts scene.

While the work of Indonesian artists made it into the Biennale in 2003 and 2005, having a national pavilion in one of the most important exhibition areas reflects the growing prestige of Indonesian art. It also has a very practical implication for reaching a wider international audience and art market.

“Contemporary art is indeed very close to each one of us, as most of it reflects the current issues we experience as the society develops,” said Commissioner Adji Damais. “We hope that through the art, we can unite as a nation and be proud of our diversity.”

In terms of long-range, broader objectives, the success of Pavilion Indonesia at the Venice Biennale 2013 will certainly require the full support and enthusiasm of the government, the private sector, and the public, according to Restu.

“This is the first time the Indonesia pavilion will be presented in the Arsenale and we intend to show the worth of Indonesian contemporary art to the world. This is about exploring the inherent character and the vibrancy of our nation,” she said.

“We are honored that on so many different sides people are supporting our mission to put Indonesia on the art map and alert art lovers to the stature of our contemporary artists.” 

Last but not least, PT Bumi Purnati has again asked the Change Performing Art from Milan, Italy to collaborate in this very important event.

web site http://indonesiavenice.com/