September Round-Up Part 1

Art Agenda, JKT, Rubanah Underground Hub, D Gallerie etc. 
By Andari Suherlan

Presented in two parts, A&M’s September round-up features 10 new exhibitions featuring Southeast Asian artists. As restrictions ease across the region, galleries are active in organising exciting physical shows, encouraging audiences to experience art face to face. Here is Part 1 of our round-up, in which we feature a special selection of Indonesian exhibitions. Read Part 2 here, where we have picked out exhibitions taking place internationally. 

Yuswantoro Adi, ‘Gelombang Pasang’, 2002, oil on canvas, 145 x 145 cm. Image courtesy of Art Agenda, JKT.

Arus Zaman
Available online and at Art Agenda, JKT’s gallery space, ‘Arus Zaman’ examines the birth of contemporary Indonesian art and the chapters of art history that are written from a generational perspective. Showcasing works from a distinguished private collection, the exhibition highlights 12 Indonesian artists born in the 1950s and 1960s who played pivotal roles in the art scene. These include F. Sigit Santoso, Heri Dono, Agus Suwage, Yuswantoro Adi and more. From the rise of the New Art Movement in the 1970s to the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new generation of artists emerged. These young artists created socially conscious art heavily influenced by the socio-political situation in Indonesia. They represent not only the turn of arts in Indonesia, but also the courageous pursuit of freedom, unity and success.

Art Agenda, JKT, 26 August to 3 October 2020.

Kanoko Takaya, ‘RHYTHM - MON’, 2019, embroidery on fabric, 100 x 193cm. Image courtesy of D Gallerie.

ASMR
Curated by Chabib Duta Hapsoro, ‘ASMR’ is an online group exhibition featuring works by three female artists, Fiametta Gabriela, Kanoko Takaya and Heewon Oh. Challenging the idea of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), which refers to a satisfying experience derived from auditory and visual sensations, the show’s title acts as a satire of the way people seek “real experiences” through technology rather than real life. Showcasing works across various mediums and methods of expression, each artist highlights the significance of sensory experiences in the human understanding of what is real.

D Gallerie, 5 September to 5 October 2020.

Radhinal Indra, ‘Ketika Bulan Terbelah’, 2020, Installation view. Image courtesy of Rubanah Underground Hub.

Ketika Bulan Terbelah
After four months of uncertainty, Rubanah Underground Hub is reopening their gallery space with a solo exhibition by Radhinal Indra. Curated by Doni Ahmad and in collaboration with RUCI Art Space, the display explores the methods of observing ‘hilal’, the crescent moon which appears during the Ramadan month. The show’s title, meaning ‘When the Moon Becomes Divided’ specifically looks at the differences and debates between the two largest Islamic organisations in Indonesia: Nahdatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah. Depicting Indra’s observations of the moon, the presentation reveals not only the practice of religious methodologies, but also the relationship between celestial bodies and mankind.

Rubanah Underground Hub, 15 August to 12 September 2020

Valdo Manullang, ‘Listen to the Beauty’, 2020, oil and charcoal on canvas, 40 x 40cm. Image courtesy of Langgeng Art Foundation.

Salon #2 - Halo & Ocean Eyes
Langgeng Art Foundation presents two concurrent exhibitions in their gallery space. ‘Salon #2 - Halo’ is the second edition of the ‘Salon’ group show featuring works by 25 local artists. This edition considers the term ‘Halo’ not only as a greeting in Indonesian, but also the crown of light in art iconography which depicts holiness or sanctity. With these two definitions, the exhibition encourages and inspires visitors to reflect on a world outside the struggles faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exhibiting simultaneously is ‘Ocean Eyes’, a solo exhibition by Laksamana Ryo. The show explores the growth of pop culture through incorporating the reference of styles from the 1950s such as ‘Big Eyes’ with contemporary mediums such as cotton flowers, zinc, cardboard and fashion brands. The characters appear child-like and imaginative, representing the desire of locals to be globally present due to media and technology today.

Langgeng Art Foundation, 8 August to 30 September 2020.

Jumaldi Alfi, ‘Colour Guide Series #2, Rajah Mantra #03’, 2018, acrylic on canvas, 125 x 100cm. Image courtesy of SaRang Art Space.

Digital Spiritualism
Jumaldi Alfi presents his solo exhibition ‘Digital Spiritualism’ at SaRang Art Space. Narrated by author Riski Januar, the show sheds light on the power of media and technology today. Expressing concern on the easy manipulation and misinterpretation of information shared online, this showcase criticises the way religion is used as a tool of provocation to achieve personal interests of individuals and organisations. The artist challenges the idea further by warning audiences that are ignorant of the way they receive and understand knowledge. Through the use of Malay Arabic writings, the displayed paintings illustrate the disconnect between script and religion, encouraging people to be more critical in their comprehension of meanings, symbols and spirituality.

SaRang Art Space, 8 August to 11 October 2020.