Rumah Seni Yaitu:

CLOSED

2010-01-10T11:07:00.002+07:00

Dear friends and colleagues,

Till January 2010 Rumah Seni Yaitu: has been about four years and five months old. The space is for bridging and exploring visual arts in its cultural linkage. It was officially inaugurated by Prof. Dr. I Made Bandem who is Rector of the Indonesian Arts Institute of Yogyakarta on August 19, 2005. The space stands on an empty plot of land, a private property of mine.

I do not remember anymore what my basic motivation was when I built the space. But I deeply enjoy any kind of arts. And one thing is clear that the space has confiscated my whole energy and thoughts during the last five years’ time.

During that time many events had been performed. Visual arts exhibitions and discussions, contemporary music and theater performances, contemporary and documentary film screenings, book launches and discussions, and others. They gave a special color to the space and for Semarang in general. The space was also as an arena for exchanging ideas, enjoying the works of art, and a meeting room for artists with their audiences. Young local artists and international artists come and go. Audiences were present after another.

I decided to close the space for any arts events starting from January 2010. An art space will not be productive anymore when forced to be present continuously without enough attention or adequate support. Now Rumah Seni Yaitu: has completed its duties. Maybe the clossing is the best decision for the sake of our local arts communities.

I apologize if Rumah Seni Yaitu: could not meet any expectations of the art world. Thank you to anyone who has become part of the joy of living in the small space located in Kampung Jambe. I appreciate you very much.

Hopefully the presence of Rumah Seni Yaitu: is useful for the local art world. It is fair enough to look at the space as part of the cultural dynamics of the city.

Best Regards,
Tubagus P. Svarajati

LECTURE OF DADANG CHRISTANTO

2010-01-08T21:08:00.003+07:00

(Photo: Tommas Titus Kurniawan)

Lecture of Dadang Cristanto
“The International Contemporary Art Practice:
Looking at Outside Through Inside”

Wednesday, January 6, 2010
at 7 pm

Dadang Christanto is one of the most famous of Indonesia contemporary artists. Based in Brisbane, Australia, and gained a worldwide reputation. He also known as a good art essayist especially on sociology of art.

He delivered a lecture on the international contemporary art practice. He stressed on how artists must fully pay attentions on current issues and develop his intelectual skills to become good artists. Some 50 attendances seriously involved and took part to a vigorous discussion after his speech.

The event is considered as an important moment for the development of our local art world. And this was the last event of Rumah Seni Yaitu which is closed forever from any arts activities starting the year 2010.

Photo Exhibition "Serenada Kehidupan"

2009-11-22T10:25:00.004+07:00

Photo Story Exhibition
"Serenada Kehidupan"

By:
Arif Slam Nugroho (Sindo), Budi Purwanto (Tempo), P Raditya Mahendra Yasa (Kompas), Adityo Dwi (Radar Semarang), Bowo Pribadi (Republika), Cun Cahya (Harian Semarang), Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post), Bahana Patria Gupta (Kompas)

Curator:
Oscar Motuloh

Opening:
Friday, November 20, 2009

Exhibition:
November 21 to 28, 2009

Open daily except holidays from 10 am to 5 pm

Free, no admission fee!

"Sum; Cerita dari Rantau"

2009-10-08T19:55:00.003+07:00

Monologue “Sum; Cerita dari Rantau”
(“Sum; A Story from Abroad”)
by Teater Garasi

Day:
Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Time:
8:00 pm

Limited seats, only for 100 viewers.
Ticket Rp5.000,00

Ticket box:
Rumah Seni Yaitu
Kampung Jambe 280
Semarang 50124

Supported by: LRC-KJHAM Semarang
Technical support by: Hysteria Community

"Perziarahan" by Antonius Danang Bramasti, SJ

2009-08-04T09:43:00.003+07:00

Painting Exhibition
"PERZIARAHAN"
by Antonius Danang Bramasti, SJ

Opening:
Friday, August 7-2009 at 7 pm

Officiated by:
Landung Simatupang

Exhibition:
August 8 to 22, 2009
Open daily except holidays from 10 am to 5 pm

Discussion:
Friday, August 21-2009 at 7 pm

Speakers:
Donny Danardono (lecturer at Soegijapranata Catholic University of Semarang)
Rony C. Kristanto (a priest and lecturer at STT Abdiel of Ungaran)

Welcome!

Antonius Bramasti Danang, SJ is a Catholic priest. Now he is the parish Girisonta, Ungaran, since November 2008. He was inaugurated as a priest on 26 July 2007 and then served in the parish Bongsari, Semarang.

For him, painting is a kind of religiousity traveling, a faith. Often he was painting in the time being meditating. The practice of painting is done with the left hand. For this exhibition, Romo Danang, so he is called by people, re-paints a number of his earlier paintings. This time he was painting with the right hand, and in oil based paint.

There are some new works specifically prepared for the first time exhibition. Feature exhibition "Perziarahan" can be defined as travel notes as shepherds of God faith. He felt God has chosed him as a Jesuit's painter and a Jesuit priest who is also a painter.

The exhibitions and discussions are open to the public and no admission free.

the.trails.of.the.midnight.bunny II

2009-06-02T14:31:00.005+07:00

Comic Exhibition
“the.trails.of.the.midnight.bunny”
by Ariela Kristantina
curated by Grace Samboh

Opening:
Friday, June 5, 2009

Exhibition:
June 6—20, 2009

Opening hours:
Everyday, except holidays
10 am to 5 pm

The exhibition is free for public with no admission fee.

Ariela Kristantina draws her comics in manga style. With some of her friends she makes a comic group called 7 Blue Artland and publish a quaterly comic magazine, Splash. In her first solo exhibition titled “the.trails.of.the.midnight.bunny” she introduces her role character that is “midnight bunny”. The theme of this show is “human being//traces”.

“Ariela's works will fill and cover the whole space of the gallery as a unity. Audiences should follow the trails of the works to know the story. But she doesn't force you to trace step by step all the way,” said Grace Samboh, curator.

"COLOR ME BADD" by I Made Aswino Aji

2009-05-04T10:41:00.002+07:00

Solo Exhibition
”COLOR ME BADD”
by I Made Aswino Aji

Opening:
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
at 7 pm

Exhibition:
May 7—30, 2009

Opening time:
10 am to 5 pm

”I believe that an exhibition is not a final goal of an artist. A show is a long way process to end to better works,” said I Made Aswino Aji (32).

In his latest solo exhibition, Aji will let audiences to participate in the show by freeing them to add something or fill more colors to his works. By introducing this modus Aji, born in Bali, seems to negate personal and individualistic ways of making art works which are very glorified in the modern thought.

Audiences then will change the characteristic of his works. Aji’s works will not be the same anymore from the first look. Finally the art works can be good, better, or even worse.

The characters of his drawings are figures with long-shaped noses. His works are full of colors and some are enriched with ornaments. Those reflect kid’s worlds or fantasies. Cheerful. Refreshing. Thrilling.

Come on, let’s draw with Aji. Let’s be an artist by participating to Aji’s show. Show your own works in the gallery.

The exhibition is fully opened or public with no admission fee.

Documentary Screening and Discussion

2009-04-27T19:09:00.004+07:00

[Photo courtesy by Tedika Puri Amanda]

Documentary Screening and Discussion:
“Gubuk Reot Di Atas Minyak Internasional”
[“Shaky Shelter on International Oil”]
Directed by Tedika Puri Amanda

Date:
Tuesday, April 28—2009
At 7:00 pm

Speaker:
Tedika Puri Amanda

Moderator:
Tubagus P. Svarajati

Free w/ no admission fee.
Do come!

This short film was one of the best five of “2007 Eagle Awards Documentary Competition” held by Metro TV. According to the director, this film was prepared and made in two years’ time.

The film was shot at Wonocolo village, Bojonegoro, East Java where almost all its villagers are working on crude oil processing traditionaly. Focusing on the struggle of Paneman, a traditional crude oil refiner, whom with local villagers developing proper education for their children among the conflict of interest on handling its oil resource.

From the Dutch colonial era, New Order regime, up till now the villagers are living under their daily allowances. It means they are living in poor standart. That’s why they cannot serve good education for their children.

This screening and discussion in cooperation between Rumah Seni Yaitu and Legal Resource Center for Human Right and Gender Issue (LRC-KJHAM).

Ketika Perempuan Bertutur

2009-02-26T13:32:00.003+07:00

Photo Exhibition
“When Women Telling their Stories”

Collection of
Legal Resources Center
for Gender Justice and Human Right of Semarang
(LRC-KJHAM)

Opening:
Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Exhibition:
February 26 to March 15, 2009

Open daily:
at 10 am to 5 pm; except holidays

This exhibition is to inform the latest situation of human right and the struggle of women in Semarang to fight the marginalisation to them. Those photos related to the issues of women with poverty, environtment, health and the LRC-KJHAM’s assistancies to women as the victims of gender based violence.

Free, no admission fee.
Welcome!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

2008-12-23T20:02:00.001+07:00

Solo Exhibition "WWW dot JAVA"

2008-12-19T06:58:00.004+07:00

Solo Exhibition:

“WWW dot JAVA”

By Nindityo Adipurnomo

Opening:

Saturday, 20 December 2008; 07.00 PM

Opened by:

Harjanto Halim (cultural activist, Semarang)

Exhibition:

21 December 2008 - 14 February 2008

Opening time: everyday except holidays10.00 AM —17.00 PM

For Nindityo Adipurnomo this solo exhibition at the Rumah Seni Yaitu is a kind of homecoming. He was born and attended high school in Semarang. Nindityo, and his wife Mella Jaarsma who is also an artist, is widely known as founders of Cemeti Art House, Yogyakarta, 20 years ago.

His interest is mainly on the visualization and the cultural background of the “konde”(buns) – the various hair arrangements in the feminine beauty tradition, especially in Java and Bali. His observation is based on the (temporary) believe that there are many contents – political, cultural, religious, economic, and even gender issues (feminism as well as patriarchism) - put into buns.

Nindityo is obsessed with the ambiguity of texts, which do not have finite endings. According to Donny Danardono (lecturer at PMLP and the Faculty of Law Soegijapranata Catholic University):“Nindityo Adipurnomo’s paintings and installation works makes fun on the certainty of texts. Being playful, they certainly do not make any claim of presenting a certain truth, let’s say an emancipating truth. In short, his works are games – and therefore a postponement – of the certitude of all kinds of meanings which we find in everyday life.”

In his solo exhibition – “WWW dot JAVA” – his first in Semarang, Nindityo Adipurnomo (born in 1961) will present three installation works, three object d’art, three photographic works and three paintings. All flow into the mainstreams of culture and religion in their various visualization forms.

A post-event catalogue will be published at the end of the exhibition. It is planned that the catalogue will be launched and discussed at the closing on Saturday, 14 February 2005.

During the exhibition some side events such as lectures, discussions, and public education programmes involving the art community, students and the general public will be held.
The exhibition and related events are open for the public, free of charge.

Supported by Cemeti Art House, Prima Filateli, Margono Group, PaperOne, Illue Design College, and Calon Menantu.

Free, no admission fee.
Welcome!

Photo Exhibition "Laku Warsa"

2008-12-08T17:26:00.003+07:00

Photo Exhibition
“LAKU WARSA”
by

Indonesian Photojournalist Association of Semarang

Opening:
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
at 7 p.m.
(followed with artists’ talk)

Exhibition:
December 11—16, 2008

Open daily except holidays:
10 am - 5 pm

Free, no admission.
Welcome!

The Indonesian Photojournalist Association of Semarang was declared at April 1, 2003. It was then followed with a photo exhibition titled “Bianglala Kota Lama Semarang” (The Rainbow of Semarang’s Old City) at Sienna Gallery during April 1—6, 2003.

And now the photo exhibition “Laku Warsa” will show at least 40 photos belong to 20 photographers who are working in several local and national medias based in Semarang. Those photos are on topics of socio-politics, art and culture, crimes, environtment issues, and sport.

There is a performance art event by some of the journalists and it will be showed before the opening ceremony. A discussion on the photo show will be held afterward.

The Pleasure of the Text

2008-10-27T18:11:00.005+07:00

Solo Exhibition

"The Pleasure of the Text"

Erik Pauhrizi

Curated by:
Heru Hikayat

Opening:

Friday, October 31, 2008

at 7:00 pm

Exhibition:

November 1 - 15, 2008

Open daily except holidays:

10 am - 5 pm

Free, no admission.

Welcome!

ERIK PAUHRIZI graduated from Fine Art and Design Faculty of Bandung Institute of Technology—majoring in textile craft and minor media art, 2005. Cum Laude.

There are tens of paintings (acrylic on canvases), drawings, and digital prints in his first solo exhibition “The Pleasure of the Text”—curated by Heru Hikayat. All of his works are in black and white tone, monocromatic. Actually not of its “color” he is willing to show, but he is intending to wipe up the subject or the reference where they were firstly belonged. The origin traces, for instance faces, are blurred.

According to the curator, Pauhrizi is not trying to show his personal uniqeness through his works, instead he dives into the sea of quotations’ imagery. This is not only a signs pleasure with no end—a sign to refer another sign—but also unlimittedly exchanging the position of ”reader-author”.

Sembilan Wali & Siti Jenar

2008-10-05T20:20:00.008+07:00

Photo Exhibition
“SEMBILAN WALI & SITI JENAR”

by
Seno Gumira Ajidarma

Opening:
Friday, October 10, 2008 at 7 p.m.

(Followed with Artist Talk session.)

Exhibition:
October 11—25, 2008

Open daily:
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except holidays)

No Admission. Free.
Welcome!

Seno Gumira Ajidarma is widely known as a journalist, but he is also very famous as a novelist, film critic, and art connoisseur with his major on comics or cartoon works. He has published many books among others on literature, journalism, and photography—completed his doctoral program at University of Indonesia, 2005.

The photos in “Sembilan Wali & Siti Jenar” are accompanying his bibliography study on the legendary of Walisanga whom are believed as the first persons on proliferation of Islam in Java. Those nine Wali is completed with another legend Syekh Siti Jenar. His study and journalistic report with its photos were then published as a book at September 2007—but firstly appeared in Intisari magazine, October 2005—August 2006.

Seno differenciate between historical facts and any historic views on those nine saints. By reading his report, seemingly the readers are brought to the past but in the same time they also criticise the myth of the tombs which Seno described.

Those exhibited forty five photos could be read as a companion to the texts, as arbitrary visual stories, or only as the photographer’s interpretation on the pilgrimage artifacts he visited. But maybe those are the pilgrimage journey itself.

This exhibition is intended to show how important ideas or discourses in the photography field.

Supported by Intisari Magazine and Sampoerna Foundation.

Creativity and Global Networking

2008-09-21T19:11:00.004+07:00

(Photo courtesy of Cemeti Art House)

Art Discussion
w/
Nindityo Adipurnomo
on “Creativity and Global Networking”

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
at 7:30 pm

No admission, free!
Welcome!

Nindityo Adipurnomo was born in Semarang. He was trained as artist (major in painting) and graduated from The Art Institute of Indonesia, Yogyakarta. He also studied at The State Academy of Fine Arts, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (1986—1987). With his wife Mella Jaarsma, he founded Cemeti Art House (since 1988).

He is going to present the concept of his latest works especially the collaborative one (with Mella) “The Last Animist 2008” showed at International Sculpture Exhibition 2008 “Grandeur” which was exhibited at Sonsbeek Park, Arnhem, The Netherlands, last summer. They were among 28 international artists from around the world who took part in.

The discussion is to show how artist not only relating to his own aesthetic sense and ratio but also embracing public as part of his art works. Nindityo also will tell us how important must artists spread their international networking in the global world.

The discussion is opened for public with no admission. The management of RSY invite young artists, art-workers, journalists, and art lovers to join it.

Supported by Cemeti Art House.

Outside the Words

2008-09-03T21:17:00.003+07:00

Painting Exhibition
“Di Luar Kata” / “Outside the Words”
by:
Acep Zamzam Noor
Sitok Srengenge

Opening:
Friday, September 5, 2008 at 5:30 pm

Officiated by:
Nugroho Suksmanto

Exhibition:
September 6—15, 2008

No admission, free.
Welcome!

ACEP ZAMZAM NOOR is a trained painter but also known as a poet. He studied visual arts in Faculty of Art and Design of Bandung Institute of Technology. Receiving fellowship for producing artworks in Italy and took part in workshops in the Philipines and Netherlands. From the year of 1980’s Acep had shown many exhibitions, solo or join events, in several cities in Indonesia and abroad.

SITOK SRENGENGE is one of 20 exceptional people in Asia choiced by Asiaweek as a leader for the millenium in society and culture. Sitok is famous as a poet or writer, has published some books, got several awards in literary, and joined with some international literary festival in the world.
In 2001 he received a Honorary Fellow International Writing Programme from University of Iowa, USA. In 2005 he got Honorary Fellow International Writing Programme from Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong.
In visual arts’ field Sitok ever ran The Essence Gallery. The join exhibition titled “Outside the Words” at Rumah Seni Yaitu, Semarang, is his second exhibition after the one at Millenium Gallery in 2000.
Now, along with his counterparts in Utan Kayu Community, Sitok founded Salihara Community where he works as literary, theater, and visual arts curator.

***

The Normal Chaos of Love

2008-08-22T19:50:00.002+07:00

The Normal Chaos of Love
A Visual-Poems Exhibition
by
Elfrida Fera and Kris Budiman

Opening:
Wednesday, August 27, 2008; 7.30 PM
[there will be poetry reading and music performance]

Exhibition till:
Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Supported by:
Yayasan Umar Kayam
Prima Filateli
Gramedia Book Store
Calon Menantu
Illue Design School

Free, no admission.
Welcome!

On Landing Soon

2008-07-05T11:25:00.004+07:00

[http://rodenberg3schepers.wordpress.com/]

On Landing Soon

Presentation and Discussion
with
Ellen Rodenberg (artist, the Netherlands)
Maarten Schepers (artist, the Netherlands)
Wimo Ambala Bayang (artist, Indonesia)
and
Nindityo Adipurnomo (artist, owner of Cemeti Art House)

Topic:
Anything on artist-in-residence “Landing Soon”,
the artists’ works and how to join it.

Tuesday, July 8-2008 at 7 pm

Free, No Admission.
Welcome!

ADVY Photo Expo C4C

2008-06-06T14:53:00.003+07:00

Photography: Lucky Djoko

Opening:
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
at 7:30 pm

Discussion:
Agus Leonardus (photographer)
Tubagus P. Svarajati (art critic)
Friday, June 20, 2008
at 7:00 pm

Exhibition: June 12—28, 2008

Open daily: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Except holidays

Free, No Admission
Welcome!

Late Edition: Direct Documentary Video Project

2008-05-27T11:37:00.002+07:00

This project handled by Rizki Lazuardi. Some university students, and they are also grouped as films lovers, took part to the project. The participants made some, say, experimental documentary videos. They took pictures without any editing processes.

Six videos were screened to public at May 9. In general, all the videos were lack of excellent technical. I thought they miss the logic of how to present good moving images. They did not make strong pictures. The video makers only paid their attentions on the stories. In this kind of videos, which is more important: the pictures or the auditive stories?

Well, as the firstly works Rizki and friends had showed good works, anyway.

Late Edition: Book Discussion

2008-05-25T21:02:00.003+07:00

Sigit Susanto is a friend of mine. We met and studied in a college around twenty five years ago. After graduating we never met again for (alas!) more than twenty years. Then last year he called me from his home town, Boja, where is a small town fourty kilometers south of Semarang.

For my surprised, Sigit is living in Switszerland with his wife who is a native of the country. The most surprising thing is: Sigit transforms as a travel writer with his depth intention on literature. He travelled twenty six countries so far. He pays his attentions on James Joyce, Franz Kafka, and so on. And he had written four books. His last one was titled “Menyusuri Lorong-lorong Dunia 2”. The book was published by Insist Press and it consist of 478 pages with index and glossary. In his new book Sigit telling his experiences when he traveled to Vietnam, China, Morocco, Portugal, Irlandia and Hongaria.

Sigit’s new book was lunched at Rumah Seni Yaitu at May 12. More than seventy people took part to the discussion. Donny Danardono a lecturer of Soegijapranata Catholic University gave his essay on Sigit’s book.

Late Edition: CUKS

2008-05-25T21:01:00.000+07:00

CUKS is a short name for Cinta Untuk Kota Surabaya which meant ‘love for Surabaya city’. The title was a compilations of ten short films produced by some young film makers based in Surabaya.

Sreening time: April 17 at seven in the night. The screening at Rumah Seni Yaitu was handled by Kronikfimedia, a group af students focusing on film, the moving images.

Late Edition: CAPO

2008-05-25T19:01:00.002+07:00

[Photo: Collection of Importal]

It was a fancy exhibition which attracted youths to come. Hundreds of young people who are mostly students enjoyed the toys displayed for ten days, April 6 to 15.

Capo is a custom toy created by Aewox Team which is the creative team of a clothing line based in Bandung, NLS. It stands for No Label Stuff. Firstly this toy arranged to be the mascot of NLS. But this toy was admired by many young artists who then changed and customed it as an art work. And finally all the works were traveled and exhibited at Yogya and Semarang.

In Semarang the toys were exhibited at Rumah Seni Yaitu. And this show was one of the most attracted exhibitions we ever made. Everyday tens of visitors came in.

Fifty four young emerging artists took part to it. This programme was handled by two young local artists, they were Rizki Lazuardi and Damar Ardi.

Words are Alive

2008-04-12T07:53:00.005+07:00

On Militia 2007 Workshop. (Photo: Ferintus Karbon)

TIMUR Sinar Suprabana suddenly stepped forward and said, “Yes, let me read your poems.” He then grabbed the book and started to find out which poems he like to. Audience were kept quite and waiting for the show. It was Thursday night, April 3rd.

The most famous Semarang’s poet explained why he was so happy to read those poems – two poems precisely – of Aan Mansyur and Faisal Kamandobat: “I honor both of you as I deeply give my respect to Rendra who ever read my poems.” Rendra, as he said, was only ever read poems from two poet, they are of his and Sitok Srengenge’s. Rendra probably is the very most outstanding Indonesian poet and is attributed as “The Peacock”.

With his theatrical waving body, Timur, as he is called by friends, then pronounced words as if they were alive and got their maximum performances. People were hipnotised and clapped their hands at the end of the reading. No, no one here can be compared to the poet whom I know him some twenty years ago. Timur is still the best for poetry reading.

The poet came to RSY with Sitok Srengenge and Triyanto Triwikromo. The last two are poet and short stories writer. Sitok spent his youth in Semarang before then moved to Jakarta. He is the owner of Kata Kita publisher. Meanwhile TT, short name of Triyanto Triwikromo, is an editor at local newspaper. He is one of Indonesian leading short stories writers. These two writers now are often going abroad to join some literary and poetry parades.

They and the crowd were enjoying the books’ launch and discussion. Two young poets – M. Aan Mansyur from Makassar dan Faisal Kamandobat from Yogya – brought their books. Aan’s “Aku Hendak Pindah Rumah” (Nala Cipta Litera publisher) and Faisal’s “Alangkah Tolol Patung Ini” (Olongia publisher).

Those young poets explained their creative ways how to write down their poems. Faisal said that he deeply want to write using basic and pure words he could find. Observing on daily lives in Makassar then Aan expressed them into poems. Both two poets are good enough in their lirics.

The discussion was moderated by Adhitya, a journalist, from Kudus. Komunitasku, a group of young people who are concerned on theatre and literary practices, organised the event with excellent report.

Peace for Tibet!

2008-03-28T07:59:00.002+07:00

[Photo: www.freetibet.org]

Deeply sympathy from the bottom of my heart to
the people of Tibet. May God bless your freedom.

Warm regards,
Tubagus P. Svarajati

Rethinking of Mooi Indie

2008-03-23T11:11:00.010+07:00

Krisna Murti between his two paintings.

[Photo: Ferintus Karbon]

“I am very proud to be here, in the exhibition of one of the greatest video artist we have,” said Dr Oei Hong Djien, “Though I was very busy, but I force myself to attend this important event.” He was at Rumah Seni Yaitu and scheduled to officiated Krisna Murti’s solo exhibition Forbidden Zone, Friday, March 14.

Dr Oei, an Indonesia leading art collector with excellent reputation, then telling his witness about Semarang’s art scene. He acclaimed that art scene here has been sleeping for a along time. Eight years ago when he inaugurated a gallery Dr Oei had said the condition. But last year for his surprise he watched Entang Wiharso, a well reputable artist based in Yogyakarta, showed his solo exhibition in Semarang, precisely at Rumah Seni Yaitu. Surely now Dr Oei would change his statement to know a vigorous art practices in the city right now.

Standing before audiences, nearly one hundred art lovers, Dr Oei then spoke with cheers telling his valuable acknowledges. It was great time to have Dr Oei in a small art space I run. And I thought that was also an honor for our local art scene.

Dr Oei Hong Djien is inspecting the works.
[Photo: Ferintus Karbon]

Before Dr Oei, the artist Krisna Murti, who was growing and finishing his high school in Semarang, shared his ideas on Forbidden Zone to the attendants. Shortly he explained the idea of his works, in general he is rethinking the practices of landscape painting particularly relating to the Mooi Indie style of the Dutch East Indies school.

Krisna Murti is showing twenty paintings, five digital prints in “Glare Series” and three videos. The videos are “Airplane” (video stills, sequences, dvd loop), “Mirrorscape” (dvd loop), and “Kala-scape” (dvd loop). Airplane and Mirrorscape are showed with different views, the images were projected behind a (oneway) screen with delighted frames. People then will see as if those videos are paintings. But they are truly moving-paintings.

"Collosseum" by Krisna Murti

The very subject matters of Krina’s paintings are landscape, seascape and skyscape. Almost of all his canvasses the sky is dominant. He just want to show different perspective on landscape paradigm.

"Do not Over Take!" by Krisna Murti

According to Amanda Katherine Rath, at first glance, Krisna’s foray into the concept of landscape and images of landscape (moving and still) perhaps seems to participate in the ubiquitous eye candy that comprises much of the contemporary art in the glutted market of the international art exhibition, or Biennale-ism. But indeed the artist is questioning the bounderies between the discourses of high and low art, fine art and advertising, between high and low art. Such a supposed transgression is not in the theme or images but in the manner or way they are presented.

Discussion with the artist.

[Photo: Ferintus Karbon]

“Forbidden Zone, made this year, moves well beyond the documentary and may well be Murti’s most conceptually mixed and topically wide-ranging multi-media installation to date,” stated Iola Lenzi a curator based in Singapore.***

Philosophy Talk

2008-03-16T13:58:00.004+07:00

Philosphy Discussion
“Space in Javanese Culture and Foucaultian”

Monday, March 17-2008 at 7 p.m.

Speakers:
Bambang Supriyadi a.k.a. Pipiek (Diponegoro University, Semarang)
Donny Danardono (Catholic University of Soegijapranata, Semarang)

Moderator:
Tjahjono Rahardjo (Catholic University of Soegijapranata, Semarang)

Bambang Supriyadi a.k.a. Pipiek will deliver his paper “To Open Javanese Space through the Analysist of Dewaruci Ancient Literature”. Pipiek ia a lecturer of Diponegoro University and now is finishing his doctoral degree at the same institution he is teaching.

Donny Danardono is a lecturer of law philosophy in Catholic University of Soegijapranata Semarang and a candidate of philosophy degree in Nijmegen University, the Netherlands. He is going to discuss his paper “Michel Foucault on Dewaruci, A Discourse of Space, Power and Ethics”. This gentleman is known as an urban culture observer.

The discussion is moderated by Tjahjono Rahardjo, a lecturer in Architecture Department, Catholic University of Soegijapranata Semarang and also known as a practicioner of Javanese gamelan music.

This event is supported by Catholic University of Soegijapranata and Diponegoro University.

The discussion is opened for public and with no admission. Welcome!

Forbidden Zone

2008-03-09T18:45:00.007+07:00

FORBIDDEN ZONE
painting – digital print – video
by Krisna Murti
March 14—29, 2008

Opening:
March 14, 2008 at 7 p.m.

Officiated by Dr Oei Hong Djien

I suppose that the landscape in “Forbidden Zone” is only a small portrait of a cultural position, identity, or an attempt of the Indonesian people to understand todays reality. It seems that it is clearly but in fact we have yet to really discuss and understand this reality. [Krisna Murti]

In “Forbidden Zone” Krisna Murti professes to blur the boundaries between the discourses of high and low art, fine art and advertising, between high and low art. Such a supposed transgression is not in the theme or images but in the manner or way they are presented. [Amanda Khaterine Rath]

Whatever Murti’s choice of media, theme and form, his works of recent years all share a sharply-focused presentation of multi-prismic viewpoints, an interrogation of received and conventional meaning, and a keen awareness of the power of sensory evocation in the articulation of complex and possibly divisive issues. [Iola Lenzi]

Krisna Murti
Born in 1957, lives and works in Bandung/ Jakarta

Education
1976-81:
Faculty of Art and Design – Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Bandung

Working Experiences
1981-82:
Assistant to Prof. Ahmad Sadali for art philosophy studies, Faculty of Art and Design, ITB, Bandung
1999:
Artist in Residence, Art Exchange Program (AEP), Fukuoka, Japan
1996:
Workshop on Asean Art, La Salle SIA College of Art – Singapore Art Council, Singapore
2002:
Founder of the first International new media art festival in Indonesia: bavf~NAF
#1 (The Bandung Video, Film and New Media Art Forum)
2002-04:
Supervision of Master of Visual Art - MVA - Candidate, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
2003-…:
Guest Lecturer of Master of Visual and Performing Arts Program (New Media Art Studies), Indonesia Institute of Arts, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2006:
Artist in Residence, La Salle College of the Arts, Singapore

Selected Solo Exhibition
2008:
“Forbidden Zone” painting, digital print and video, Rumah Seni Yaitu (Semarang, March 14th-29th); Gaya Fusion of Senses Gallery (Ubud-Bali, April 5th-23rd) and National Gallery of Indonesia (Jakarta, April 29th-May 11th) [catalogue]
2005:
“Video Spa”, video installation, Gaya Fusion of Senses Gallery, Ubud, Bali
2004:
“Video Spa”, video installation, National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta
2002:
“Wayang Machine”, video installation (5 projections), Japan Foundation, Jakarta and Centre Culturel Francais, Yogyakarta
2000:
“boo it yourSELF’” Sound/Video Installation, National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta
1999:
“Foodstuffs are Ethnic, Never Racist”, video installation, Cemeti Art House, Yogyakarta.
1997:
“My Ancestors are Sangiran Man”, video installation, TBS Surakarta; Lontar Gallery, Jakarta; RedPoint Studio, Bandung
1997:
“Of The Dancer: Her Neglected Sketches”, video art, Youth Theatre, Moscow
1996:
“Learning to Queue Up to The Ants”, performance video installation, Soemardja Gallery, ITB, Bandung
1993:
“12 Hours in The Life of Agung Rai, The Dancer”, video performance-photo installation, Studio R-66, Bandung

Selected Group Exhibition
2007:
“Neo-Nation”, Biennale Jogja IX, Jogja National Museum, Yogyakarta
2007:
“Thermocline of Art, New Asian Waves”, Centre for Art and Media ZKM, Karlsruhe, Germany.
2006:
“Going Digital”, Festival Oversteek, Theater de Kikker, Utrech, the Netherlands
2006:
“Beyond”, Jakarta Biennale, Jakarta
2005:
Venice Biennale, Indonesian Pavillion, Venice, Italy
2005:
“Taboo and Transgression in Contemporary Indonesian Art”, The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Ithaca, New York, USA
2005:
“Asia Video art Showing” (Avicon), Kyoto Seika University, Institute for Media Arts, Kyoto, Japan
2005:
“Xeno-Tech” (curated by Deanna Herst), Transmediale Media Art Festival, Berlin
2004 “SENI: Art and the Contemporary”, moving picture, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore (Oct)
2004:
“Pathiharn Electron”, switch media, Art Museum of Chiang Mai, Thailand
2004:
“Identities vs Globalisation”, organised by Heinrich Boll Foundation, Art Museum
of Chiang Mai (Feb) and National Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand (May), and Dahlem
Museum Complex, Berlin (Sept-Oct 04)
2003:
Asia Videoart Conference (AVICON) 2003, organized by VC Tokyo, POLA Annex Museum, Ginza, Tokyo
2003:
“Interpellation”, CP Open Biennale, National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta
2003:
“House”, 10 Video Artists of Indonesia , Plastic Kinetic Worms, Singapore
2003:
“TRANSIT 8 Views of Indonesia”, multicultural Indonesia new media art show in
Australia: Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts, Townsville, Queensland (May-
June) and 24 HR ART, Northern Territory Centre for Contemporary Art, Darwin
(September)
2003:
“15 Tracks: South East Asia Contemporary Art”, organized by Singapore Art
Museum, Tama University Gallery, Tokyo (July) and Fukuoka Asian Art Museum,
Fukuoka, Japan (December)
2003:
“Human Beings as Part of Nature”, 2nd Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial (Short Video
Festival), 7 cities of Echigo-Tsumari region (24 public spaces), Japan
2002:
“Spice Routes”, ifa Galerie, Stuttgart, Germany
2002-03:
“36 Ideas from Asia, Contemporary South East Asia Art" (organized by
Singapore Art Museum) in German (Duisberg), Hungary, Rupertinum Museum
of Modern Art (Salzburg-Austria), National Museum of Abruzzo (L’Aquilla, Italy)
2001:
“Unfolding Perspective ARS 01”, Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum, Helsinki, Finland
2001:
Osaka Triennale, Osaka, Japan
2001:
Zwischen Tradition und Moderne: Junge Kunstler aus Indonesien, Museum for Anthropology, City of Cologne and Dahlem Museum Berlin, Germany
2001:
“Awas! Recent Art from Indonesia”, Amsterdam W139, Pruess Ochs Gallery,
Berlin and Ludwig Forum for International Art, Aachen, Germany
2000:
“7th Bienalle of Havana”, Havana, Cuba
2000:
Centre National d’Art Contemporain de Marne la-Vallee – Fermee du Buisson, Paris, France
2000:
“Invisible Boundary: Metamorphosed Asian Art, Travelling Exhibition of Kwangju
Bienalle 2000”, Niigata & Utsunomiya Museum of Art, Japan
2000:
“Impakt Festival, Media Art” Utrecht, the Netherlands
2000:
“3rd Gwangju Bienalle”, South Korea
1999:
“Undabdie Post Experimental Art”, Actions Galerie & Asian Fine Arts Factory, Berlin
1999:
“First Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale”, Fukuoka-Japan
1997:
“Two Wonders”, Mikhail Abakumov and Krisna Murti, Embassy Hall, Moscow

Artist Talk/ Art Presentation
2001:
“3 Artists”, Havana Biennale, Che Guevara Hall, Casa America, Havana, Cuba
2002:
“10 Works of Krisna Murti 1993-2002”, Complejo Cultural “San Fransisco”,
Caceres-Spain, organized by Asosiacion Cultural Arte Abierto and sponsored by
Diputacion de Caceres
2003:
“10 Works of Krisna Murti 1993-2002” at Institute of Modern Art IMA and
Queensland Art College (Brisbane); Griffith University, Brisbane; Charles Darwin
University, Darwin; and James Cook University, Townsville (Australia)
2004:
Art Forum and Visiting Lecturer: “New Media Art in Indonesia” at University of
Tasmania, Hobart and Launceston, Monash University, Melbourne and
24HRART Contemporary Art, Darwin, Australia

Public Collections
Hakataza, Kabuki Theatre, Fukuoka City, Japan
Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan
Art Council of Singapore/ Singapore Art Museum

Bibliography
“Apresiasi Seni Media Baru” (The Apreciation of New Media Arts), Direktorat Kesenian RI, Jakarta, 2006
“Media Baru, Kultur Gerilya hingga Seni Gadget” (The New Media, from Guerilla Culture to Gadget Art), Jakarta Biennale Catalogue, Jakarta Art Council, 2006
“Caring for Mickey, Collage Works of Krisna Murti”, exhibition catalogue, Bandung, 2001
“Video Publik”, Krisna Murti, Kanisius Publisher, Yogyakarta, 1999
“My Ancestors are Sangiran Man”, exhibition catalogue, Krisna Murti, Bandung, 1997
Writing media arts articles for Kompas newspaper, Visual Arts and Art Asia Pasific magazine

Meet Dini

2008-03-01T22:16:00.002+07:00

Nurhayati Sri Hardini – famous as Nh. Dini – is one of Indonesia women writers who are extremely productive. She started writing since 1951 when she was a student of junior school. Penduharka was her first short story published at Kisah magazine and it got good attention from literature critic H.B. Jassin who was called as Paus Sastra Indonesia or Indonesia Literature Pope.

Nh. Dini was a Garuda Indonesia Airways’ stewardese and married with Yves Coffin, a France diplomat. They had a couple kids, Marie Claire Lintang dan Pierre Louis Padang.

After more than twenty years going abroad, among them she was staying at Japan, Cambodia, the Philipines, United States of America, the Netherlands, and France, then she at 1980 moved back to Indonesia.

Dini then built Pondok Baca Nh. Dini, a reading house. This is especially for children and it is developed well and has many branches so far.

She had written more than thirty books of novel, short stories, noveletes, and others. Among of her books the Memories Series were very popular and admired by her readers. But Nh. Dini was first known as a leading writer by La Barka (1975) and Pada Sebuah Kapal (1985). Dini also translated Albert Camus’ La Peste (1985) and Jules Verne’s Vingt Mille Lieues sous le Mers (2004) into Indonesian.

This writer gets many awards from the Indonesia government and abroad. And also she was invited to deliver her works at several countries such as Canada, South Korea, the Philipines, Thailand, and also at France where she spent a part of her life with her family.

And now Nh. Dini is pleased to see her readers at Rumah Seni Yaitu, Sunday, March 2nd, at 6:30 pm. The writer was born at Semarang in a small kampoong called Sekayu. Nh. Dini is also going to talk about her latest book titled “Argenteuil, Hidup Memisahkan Diri”.

Discussion:

Sunday, March 2-2008 at 6:30 pm

Audiences are welcome with no admission.

Entang and Farewell Paper

2008-02-20T09:54:00.004+07:00

ONE day a SMS came and it was from Entang Wiharso, an Indonesian leading artist who is now living in Rhode Island, USA, with his wife and two sons. He was invited as an artist-in-residence at Amherst College for six months, last year. He spent his vacation in Indonesia, for around one month, and delivered a speech in a one day seminar at Jogja Biennale IX, last November.

His SMS said that he invited some friends to have a farewell dinner before he is flying to see his family in USA. Well, it should be noted as an honor to me. Then I went to Jogja and join with some friends in a clear night in a restaurant near the artist’s house.

It took almost four hours to go there from Semarang, my hometown. Karbon, a student of Fine Art Department of Semarang State University, accompanied and drived for me. This young guy is good in photography. Some of his shots were used as poster and catalogue cover for Entang’s last solo exhibition “Intoxic” at Rumah Seni Yaitu. And ofcourse Karbon is extremely pleased.

The day was Saturday, February 9th, and I met many interesting people. There were three young Jogja based curators – Sudjud Dartanto, Kuss Indarto, and Wahyudin – whom were my counterparts when I took discussions at Cemeti Art Foundation for more than three months in the year 2004. The foundation now changed into Indonesia Visual Art Archive (IVAA).

You know, Agung “Leak” Kurniawan, artist and the Director of the Foundation, once said that such discussion was a real “liar school”. He meant that because the discussions had no certain modules or any fixed programmes. They were held at night twice a week and some scholars gave their papers to the limited attendants. I was very lucky to join it. The school enlarged my mind on theories of contemporary visual arts. But I had to drive to Jogja in the morning then went home late at night. I often arrived home at dawn the next day for some discussions ended rather late. There were all hard days and cost very expensive, but I sincerely wish thank to the good friends of the Foundation.

There were some young artists, friends, and also Entang’s relatives joined the dinner. We talked and laughed all night. But in the middle we also had some serious deal, meant: we blew rumors on todays arts booming – especially paintings – and the artists’ behaviors concerning the terrible art market. Well, well, well…, no any painters are broke nowadays in Jogja. But elsewhere? Who knows.

Then we walked down to the artist’ house. I noted that Entang was exploring a new medium – paper – for his newest works. He pressed the paper in such a way so that there are hollowed images on it. As usual, his images are very strange and intriguing. The most excited news is: the artist gave me two papers! Olala....

[Hendro Wasito, a truly art lover lives at Semarang, brought the art-works to me several days after the dinner party. He did not join the dinner but visited the artist at another day. I wish my deeply thank to the gentleman.]

Karbon and I reached home at three at dawn. I insisted to go home because my son would have to take a test entering high school at ten o’clock at Sunday. What a hard day!***

On Batik Lasem, A Brief Note

2008-02-19T22:39:00.007+07:00

It was wet, wet, and wet everyday – since the Chinese Lunar Year – at Semarang. From morning till night the rain dropped from the sky and, surely, it was cold. We never experienced this for nearly ten years or so.

But many Chinese thought that rainy days in between Chinese New Year will bring more prosperity. Sure? Yes, they do hope.

Oppositely, we were very lucky at that night, the sky was clear and we did not have rain. It was Friday night, February 15th, when there was an opening of “New Light of Batik Lasem” exhibition. This exhibition is sincerely about a presentation of a research of batik Lasem. You know, batik is a traditional hand made fabric: completely hand printed and colored.

Lasem is a small town, a seashore, and is believed where the first Chinese was landing there from the Mainland, China. This town is estimated as a living community and an important harbour at the north of Java Island since 9th century. This was one of the most three important harbour in the Majapahit Kingdom era. So the Chinese and Javanese cultures were mixed beautifully at Lasem. Chinese who then married with local residents making a new origin called ‘Tionghoa Peranakan’ (Peranakan Chinese) with their ‘budaya peranakan’ (peranakan culture).

Mr William Kwan, a Chinese origin who was born at Batang, a small town in Central Java, is making research on batik Lasem. He is the director of Indonesia Pluralism Institute. He was growing up at Semarang before moving then now living at Jakarta with his family.

Mr Kwan showed us there are many proves that Lasem is a multicultural town. There are mosques, churches, vihara, and temples are all living side by side peacefully. According to Mr Kwan there has not a depth research yet which shows when batik was firstly produced at Lasem. But local history (Babad Lasem) – in “Sabda Badra Santi” written by Mpu Santi Badra, 1401 Caka (1479 M) – indicates that the pioneer of batik Lasem was Princess Na Li Ni (wife of Bi Nang Un, a ship captain of Chenghe Admiral).

The influences of Chinese culture can be noted at batik Lasem in the motifs of dragons, peacoacks, kilin (Chinese mythologic dragon), chicken, butterflies, golden fishes, peony flowers, chrisantenum flowers, baby bamboo, ban ji and so on. And Javanese culture is clearly signed in the designs of parang, kawung, udan liris etc. The dominant colors of batik Lasem are dark-red, blue, light-brown, green, dark-brown, and purple. The most unique and popular color of batik Lasem is the dark-red and is usually called as ‘chicken-blood red’. Consummers extremely love Tiga Negeri (Three Countries), Lok Can, Bang-bangan (Redish) and Bang-biron (Red-Bluish) designs of batik Lasem.

In fact, all batik enterpreneures were Chinese at the time. At 1970 there were still 144 Chinese people who made batik Lasem. But then since 1990 there was significant changing of the etnicity and locations of batik manufactures. The batik Lasem enterpreneures then dropped to only 22 persons at 2007 consists of 13 Chinese origins (59%) at Lasem and 9 (41%) Javanese at suburban.

***

More than thirty people took part at the discussion moderated by Seno Satrio Prakoso from Widya Mitra Foundation which fully supported the exhibition. Mr Kwan explained all the things of batik Lasem to audiences who were very enthusiastic to the topic. The discussion last at around 9:30 pm and it almost two hours’ run.

Surprissingly, a welknown Indonesian photographer and his wife attended the exhibition. They are Deniek G. Sukarya and his wife Karen who is a batik lover. This top level photographer is very popular for his travel photo shots. His photo works show the richness of this country.

A leading batik collector Handoko, living in Semarang, came and joined with the audiences. I personally wish thank to him for lending me his extraordinary collections to the show.***

A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

2007-12-24T16:16:00.001+07:00

The Management of Rumah Seni Yaitu and his friends

wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2008.

Many thanks for joining us during the year 2007

and through arts may we bring happiness and prosperity.

We're closed from December 24, 2007 through January 6, 2008.

Please feel free to visit at Monday, January 7, 2008.

Open daily except holidays: 10am-5pm.

Coming soon:

"New Light on Batik Lasem"

We will have a deep discussion with Mr William Kwan,

a researcher of Batik Lasem.

February 2008.

Thank you,

The Management

Fat Ass Artist

2007-12-14T07:57:00.001+07:00

TUESDAY morning: December 11, 2007. EddiE haRA, the artist who is now living in Basel, Switzerland, dropped to RSY. He has been in Indonesia for a few weeks relating to his solo exhibition – titled “Global Warming, Cool Art!”, December 5 through 18, 2007– at Nadi Gallery, Jakarta. Enin Supriyanto is the curator of it. Expressing his closed-friendship to the artist, who is still look like a sitting-buddha, Enin wrote: Long live, you, fat ass artist!

I talked with the Salatiga – Central Java – born artist for hours. It was very great to speak to him. He speaks in the way Javanese priyayi (middle class well-educated people) always do: speaking slowly – not in a hurry – and polite. The way he speaks is quite different to his performance: wearing t-shirt and three-quarter loose pants, having an earing in his left-ear, and completed with red shoes. Old punk daddy. But now his head is not bold anymore. One thing is clear: his hair becoming silver. Sign: mature.

Then we had brunch: tahu pong. Tahu is beancurd. Pong is empty. Means: chruncy fried beancurd. This is a local dishes: fried beancurd served with garlic-sweet-kechup. Yummy.

After having meals we went to see a leading local art-collector. Such collector is usually called as ‘kolekdol’. Etymologically ‘kolekdol’ derives from ‘koleksi’ (means: to collect in Bahasa) and ‘dodolan’ (means: selling in Javanese). Kolekdol is a person who does collecting art works and in the same time selling them again. Just money-earning-oriented. In short, not a ‘pure’ art-collector. Aha, the term is specifically Indonesian.

But let’s talk about EddiE’s latest art-works. For more than centuries he is hoped by art critic and art lovers to change his childish iconic visual into something new and fresh. And this time is happened. Thank God. Though his new works are not entirely different than the old ones but now EddiE seems more enjoy with monocromatic colors. He puts stressing the objects with outlines. Rather simple. And more elegance.

Good luck, EddiE haRA. And allow me to rewrite (again) Enin’s phrase: Long live, you, fat ass artist!***

No, No Blank Spot!

2007-12-13T07:53:00.000+07:00

Photography: Goenadi Haryanto

Though no crowd – it means: less audiences – but the opening night (Friday, December 7th, 2007) was great. I talked about “Blank Spot” photo exhibition. Some hearted art-lovers, RSY’s friends, and students enjoyed the photos. And some of them stayed patiently until the artist talk session finished.

Mr Tjahjono Rahardjo, lecturer of Urban and Environment, Post-Graduate Programme, Soegijapranata Chatolic University, gave his notes on the Semarang Old Town. It was a Dutch colonial living area but now many all of its buildings were emptied and have no significant functions.

“By exploring this area, just on foot, we can learn different architectural styles,” said Mr Rahardjo. The area was built during 1880 to 1930’s. He also described the political lives related to this area during the Soekarno’s reign, Soeharto’s dictatorship, and now in the Reformasi Era.

It seems that there are no enough attentions how to handle this wonderful area where many old buildings still existed. In fact, only little are used and cared properly.

But in other part of his speech, Mr Rahardjo did not agree to the term ‘blank spot’ used as the title of the exhibition. According to him, this area still existed and attracted so much attentions from Government, in short: abundant of money were poured down. But nothing developed well, I claim.

The ‘blank spot’ curatorial framework based on thoughts: the area is between existed nor in-existed for the reasons no significant development implemented there.

Five photographers who are taking part to this exhibition show their multifaceted pictures. Agus Leonardus, famous photographer and a lecturer worked at Yogyakarta, makes interesting metaphor to this Old Town. He only show single picture: there are dozens people – actually the same person – are sleeping on the road in front of Gereja Blenduk (simply as Round Church) which is a landmark of the cityscape. He critizises the local government included citizens which are not awaken.

Goenadi Haryanto, Hendro Wasito, and William Wong pick up the reality they found in the area. The senior photographer Goenadi Haryanto, known as a leading one in Indonesian photo salon community, visualized his observation on the street lamp related to and important for the safety reasons. This Jakarta based photographer thinks as if the area were unsafe.

The night scene really underlines the term ‘blank spot’ and Hendro Wasito, an amateur photographer but a leading Semarang art collector, tells us how tranquil the area is. Almost none activities found in the night and in some terraces of old buildings there are many homeless laying down embracing their dreams. Wasito clearly shows his position to people who are oppressed and do not get enough care from others.

William Wong’s dozens photos of doors and windows are definitely signs of destruction. Those are left alone and imply both government and citizens never care of them. Indeed, some are extremely good looking.

Wearing traditional Javanese costume Ferintus Karbon walked alone in the area and thought he was a lost tourist. Not only as a humble tourist but he also underlines being a Javanese in the Dutch colonial area. Moreover he seems criticize the government programme, that is Semarang Pesona Asia. This programme was politically arranged by the Mayor to attract foreign tourists coming to Semarang. Frankly speaking this programme was not as successful as it is claimed by the government.

In short, this photo exhibition brings a different point of view on the Old Town. And it shows that photography is not only means of recording but also as a media expressing ideas.***

Blank Spot

2007-11-28T07:49:00.000+07:00

Photography: Ferintus Karbon

[Photo Exhibition "Blank Spot" will go at December 7 to 22, 2007. This will be opened at Friday, December 7, at 7pm. There ia an artist talk after the Opening. Mr Tjahjono Rahardjo, lecturer of PMLP Soegijapranata Catholic University, is going to deliver his ideas on the site where was a Dutch colonial living area. This event is fully supported by Yayasan Widya Mitra Semarang. The Management welcome photographers and art lovers to enjoy the show with no admission. Thank you.]

***

Photo exhibition “Blank Spot” is designed based on intensive observations to an area which is neglected for a long time. The Old Town of Semarang was a Dutch colonial living area. Its buildings reflect European’s architectural. Now the purpose of the area is not clearly yet for what.

The government seems had no idea how to revitalise it. By the reasons having no fund, the government cannot handle the regular floods covering the area. Indeed the area will be a promising tourism spot if it were developed well.

The chalenge is how to change the area into a contemporary cultural center which cover all public aspirations.

The “Blank Spot” were supposed as no occupants area, between existed and non-existed. All photos describe not only the area’s potencies but included its problems.

Five photographers – Agus Leonardus, Ferintus Karbon, Goenadi Haryanto, Hendro Wasito, and William Wong – took pictures with their own spirits and different styles. Those photos are voiceless notes on some parts of the town which are now more languid.

Tubagus P. Svarajati,

Exhibition Curator

an ongoing URBAN poem

2007-11-05T13:08:00.000+07:00

Photography: Roy Voragen

The photo exhibition "an ongoing URBAN poem" by Roy Voragen will be opened on Friday, November 9, 2007 at 7pm. The exhibition goes to November 24, 2007. This exhibition is a join programme between Rumah Seni Yaitu and Widya Mitra Foundation. The Ambassador of the Netherlands, His Excellency Dr Nikolaos van Dam scheduled to officiate it.

After the opening ceremony there is an artist's talk. Triyono Lukmantoro, a lecturer at Diponegoro University, will deliver his observation on Roy's photos.

Accompanying his exhibition Roy Voragen will give a street photography workshop for public free of charge. The workshop runs from November 6 to 9 at 9am.
***

Roy Voragen – born in Heerlen, the Netherlands – took part in an artist-in-residence programme at Rumah Seni Yaitu Semarang for five weeks from June 25th to July 29th, 2007. This programme was fully supported by Widya Mitra Foundation Semarang.

During his residency Roy captured the city and its daily life. He explored the city’s insight and its problems. As a street photographer he paid attention on urbanity subject matter.

As long as he walked through the city’s streets he often lost his sense of direction. But he enjoyed it anyway. “In these in between moments of losing sense of direction I can make photos that give me sense to the city,” he said.

Roy’s photos show us some aspects. Those photos are documentary city’s life in a particular time. Through his photos he learns how to understand Indonesian culture and those also as a method of introducing who he is.

Roy Voragen lives in Indonesia since 2003. He teaches philosophy in Parahyangan Catholic University Bandung. His essays were published in some national newspapers and journals.

PARADOXIAL electro-music

2007-10-30T07:54:00.000+07:00

Artwork: G. Haryanto

October 30, 2007 at 7pm

Tonite!
No admission!

The Management of RSY and Widya Mitra Foundation proudly present "Paradoxial..." soundwaves, an electronic music concert by Bambang Widiatmoko and Ki Sadrakh group.

Limited seats!

Story:Testimony

2007-10-14T15:50:00.000+07:00

art work: Ekwan Marianto

"Story:Testimony"
Group Exhibition:
Agus Siswanto (Solo),
Ekwan Marianto (Yogya),
Sakini SKM (Kudus).
Opening: Friday, Oct 26, 2007 at 7 pm.
The exhibition through Nov 5, 2007

The “Story:Testimony” is an exhibition of three painters who are telling their experiences according to their own historical background. The linkage of their art-works, in general, is their daily stories of which visualised allegoricaly. The stories are their testimonies of the phenomenon of which they observed.

Tubagus P. Svarajati, exhibition curator

2007-10-12T09:53:00.000+07:00

We're closed till Sunday, Oct 12, 2007.
Please feel free to come at Monday, Oct 22, 2007.

Next Exhibition:

"Story:Testimony"

Agus Siswanto-Ekwan Marianto-Sakini SKM

Oct 26-Nov 5, 2007

Thank You,

The Management.

The Gala

2007-09-18T11:05:00.000+07:00

Photos: Ferintus Karbon

Alia Swastika, the curator, is delivering her speech accompanied by Tubagus P. Svarajati and Mella Jaarsma.

IT WAS hot and bright afternoon, Saturday 15, 2007, when some students entered the space. They, by seeing the exhibition-to-be-opened “The Past-The Forgotten Time”, spent their time before ‘buka puasa’, that is the time – usually a few minutes before 6 o’clock in the evening – when Mosleems are allowed to eat after a full-happy-day-fasting.

The surprising thing is the fact that they are not only Indonesian but also some students from abroad. They, according to Riris – student of IKIP PGRI who become a teacher, surely, when she has completed her study and directly gets job! – come from China, Vietnam, South Africa, and a list of countries I forgot. They are part of some students who are studying Bahasa in some Semarang’s universities. Well, it’s good to know we have some new audiences.

The exhibition was afficiated by Mrs Widjajanti Dharmowijono. Before her, I – Tubagus P. Svarajati – announced to audiences a brief explanation why such event was conducted here. And Mella Jaarsma, the artist who owned – with his husband – Cemeti Art House (CAH), gave her speech on the mutual cooperation between CAH and RSY. Then Alia Swastika, the artistic manager of CAH and the curator of the exhibition, delivered some notes on the background what the theme of the exhibition is, the reasons why the artists were chosen, and so on.

Mrs Dharmowijono noted that we Indonesian usually blame the past, the history, whenever we fail to construct our own. She said, we do not forget the past, but neither we hide before it. We could choose to write down our own history and probably that is what we called as freedom. In a way, whether we like it or not, Indonesian and the Dutch have shared history. It is cliché when we call that history equals to ‘his/her story’. But is that true history belongs to whom has the power to reign?

In the other part Mrs Dharmowijono said, “We in turn were not as passive viewers only, but also bring our knowledge, experiences and feelings to interpret ourself and to every art-works. This exhibition which involved six artists is amazing for it also comes from great ideas.”

After all there was an artists’ talks delivered by Wimo Ambala Bayang and Yuli Prayitno, two of six artists who are exhibiting. The curator also gave her speech. And the discussion was moderated by Seno Satrio Prakoso from Widya Mitra Foundation.***

The Past-The Forgotten Time

2007-09-13T00:21:00.001+07:00

[“The Past-The Forgotten Time” is going to show at Saturday, September 15, and goes to October 8, 2007. The artists are: Agus Suwage, Eko Nugroho, Irwan Ahmett, Prilla Tania, Wimo Ambala Bayang, and Yuli Prayitno. Mrs Widjajanti Dharmowijono, a doctor candidate of Amsterdam University, will officiate the exhibition and it followed by artists’ talks then. The management of Rumah Seni Yaitu welcome art lovers to enjoy this exhibition with no admission.]

DURING 1930-1960 the social, political and cultural lives of Indonesian sities cited changed. Some scholars from Gajah mada University researched these changes with the help of Netherlands Institute of War Documentation/ NIOD, Amsterdam. The project is called “Indonesia Across Orders: The Reorganization of Indonesian Society, 1930-1960”.

On the cultural level, the reality of urban symbolism in Indonesia belongs to its past historical process. How the changes happened from cities with colonial-culture symbolism to become ones with the Indonesian-cultural signs at the era before 1960? Are the images and the symbolic cultural identities of postcolonial urban Indonesia truly different than what they were proviously?

This exhibition is interpretation of six Indonesian artists on the research. Those artists are selected by the management of Cemeti Art House, as the producer of the exhibition, for the reasons what they are doing is based on research processes besides their strong visual aspects.

“The Past-The Forgotten Time” was exhibited at Artoteek Den Haag-The Hague, NIOD-Amsterdam, Cemeti Art House-Yogyakarta, and Erasmushuis-Jakarta. Then it is going to BizArt-Shanghai (Nov 2007) and Singapore Fringe Festival 2008.***

Great Hamad!

2007-09-11T08:36:00.000+07:00

Hamad Khalaf (center), Mr Deddy Irianto (left), and Mr Alexander Ming (right) at the Opening.

Photo: Ferintus Karbon

Hamad Khalaf, the Kuwait born artist, delivered his speech in Urban and Environment Dept., Post Graduate Program, of Soegijapranata Catholic University, Semarang, Friday (7/9). He shared his ideas based on his art works. These, in bare words, are about ‘the art and the war’.

"Boot" by Hamad Khalaf

2007 - acrylic, enamel on canvas - 130X130 cm

Some lecturers, students, and persons who are interested on arts enthusiastically attended his class. For some people it’s quite strange to know a Kuwait citizen being a contemporary artist of which Kuwait has famous reputation as a rich petroleum country in Gulf Coast. But, truly speaking, Khalaf is an exception.

He also an exception in the recent Indonesian art scene for the reasons that he was invited exhibiting his works at some leading galleries and alternative art spaces in the same time. He did exhibited at Gaya Fusion Gallery, Nadi Gallery, ITB Soemardja Gallery, and Rumah Seni Yaitu. And next October he is going to show his works to public at Kedai Kebun Forum, Yogyakarta. The other reason is he achieved excellent reviews from Indonesian big medias, such as Kompas, Media Indonesia, Jakarta Post, and also Suara Merdeka. Some critics mentioned that Khalaf’s works are interesting and unique.

Khalaf is exploring historical artifacts – such as the ones from Gulf War e.g. military helmets, uniforms, gloves, gas masks, flasks, and others – and painted them with ancient Greek mythology. “Khalaf blows life into these Iraqi military items with artistic gusto,” says senior art writer Carla Bianpoen.

Krisna Murti, a senior Indonesian artist who is working with video, enjoyed Khalaf’s show at Rumah Seni Yaitu, Friday afternoon (7/9). Mr Murti, who is also known as an influential art critic, was very pleased to see Khalaf’s works.

And Mr Murti is going to show his premier solo exhibition next March. Definitely he is exhibiting at Rumah Seni Yaitu.***

Camouflage: Acts of War

2007-08-27T15:24:00.000+07:00

The “Camouflage: Acts of War” by Hamad Khalaf will go at Friday, August 31-2007, on 7 p.m. This exhibition is curated by Rifky Effendy and will be officiated by Mr Deddy Irianto, the owner of Langgeng Icon Gallery. The exhibition will last at September 9-2007. Art lovers are welcome with no admission.

Khalaf is a Kuwait born artist and now he is working in Bali. "ACTS OF WAR" is a project which started in 2003, when Hamad Khalaf set up his studio in Bali, Indonesia. In view of the many restrictions his work would face in Kuwait, he chose to further his career in Indonesia as an alternative home base for an international career. The project comprises art work in a broad range of mediums, all revolving around one central idea: Classical Greek Mythology abounds in characters and situations of War, which our reality would seem to imitate.

Excerpts from some sources:

"Bagi banyak seniman, mitos Yunani kemudian dijadikan titik keberangkatan untuk membincangkan tragedi manusia. Melalui benda dan citraan yang penuh erotika lagi puitik, Hamad Khalaf, seorang perupa, mengajak kita merenungi tentang perang lewat mitologi." KOMPAS, Rifky Effendy

"He could not resist collecting, from deserted military battlefields, the military helmets, uniforms, gloves, gas masks, flasks, and other remainders of the war that raged in Kuwait. Khalaf blows new life into these Iraqi military items with artistic gusto." ASIAN ART NEWS, Carla Bianpoen

"The combination of objects from war and epic greek imagery reveals the red thread of human drama. Whether the objects are truly from war or not is of no importance, because we consume war images no differently to other images. We are enticed by the imagery and enjoy reproducing it. While real war takes civilian casualties, its imagery camouflages it to some of the others." MEDIA INDONESIA, Heru Hikayat

"The more I saw, the closer I looked at the objects and the scenes painted on them, and the more was realed about the fascinating way the whole world of objects came together in harmony, and evoking, destruction, war and mythology. I was looking at a highly sophisticated and personal message against war and violence." JAKARTA POST, Jean Couteau

"In its essence, trauma can never be healed. It can only be managed, transformed into positive energy. This is what Hamad does." GALERI SOEMARDJA, Aminuddin TH Siregar

HAMAD KHALAF Born 1971
Solo Exhibitions
2007

“Camouflage: Acts of War”, Rumah Seni Yaitu, Semarang, Cent Java, Indonesia
“Acts of War”, 24hr Art (N.T. Centre for Contemporary Art), Darwin, Australia.
“Acts of War”, Galeri Cemara 6, Jakarta, Indonesia.
“Acts of War”, Galeri Soemardja -ITB, Bandung, Indonesia.
“Acts of War”, Gaya Fusion Artspace , Bali, Indonesia.
2006

“Acts of War”, Curated by Enin Supriyanto, Nadi Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia.
2005

“Acts of War”, Curated by Filippo Sciascia, Gayafusion, Bali, Indonesia.
2001

“The Fires of Kuwait”, The Green Room, Ritz Carlton Hotel, Singapore.
1999

“Enemy Revisited”, Salle des Pas Perdus, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France.
1998

“Les Argonauts”, Hall Moro III, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France.
1997

“Enemy Revisited”, Musee de Louvain La Neuve, LLN, Belgium.
“Enemy Revisited”, Galerie Catrin Alting, Antwerp, Belgium.
1996

“Mitologia Crudele”, Loggia Rucellai – Galerie Alberto Bruschi, Florence, Italy.
1995

“Enemy Revisited”, Le Centre Culturel Francais, Kuwait.

Group Exhibitions
2006

“Theertha Open Day”, Organized by Theertha IAC. Hantane, Sri Lanka.
“Gaya Collection”, Gayafusion. Bali, Indonesia.
2005

“3 Regards sur la guerre”, Abbaye de Stavelot, Stavelot, Belgium.
“Pre-Bali Biennale”, Sika Gallery, Bali, Indonesia.
“Bali Biennale-Summit Event”, Komaneka Gallery, Bali, Indonesia.
2004

“Artiade - Olympics of Visual Arts”, Athens, Greece.
1996

“Artiade - Olympics of Visual Arts”, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Projects Assignments / Workshops
2006

Theertha International Artists Workshop, Hantane, Sri Lanka.
2005

Created 40 art masks for sale at charity masquerade “Friends of Indonesia”, Fabio’s, Bali, Indonesia.
2004

Member of the International Jury, Artiade Olympics of Visual Arts, Athens, Greece.
1998

Desk Calendar, Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC), Kuwait.
1997

Cards and “Minotaur” Watch sold at UNESCO HQ, Paris, France.

Collections
Nadi Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Gayafusion, Bali, Indonesia.
Musee de Louvain La Neuve, LLN, Belgium.
Maison de L’UNESCO, Paris, France.
Associasion Internationale des Arts Plastiques (AIAP), Paris, France.
Artiade Foundation (NGO), Berlin, Germany.
Professor Nicholas Saunders, Author of Trench Art books.
Miuccia Prada, Fashion designer and co-founder of the Prada Foundation, Milan, italy.

Studies & Day Jobs
2001-2003

Senior Representative, Kuwait Petroleum Far East, Singapore.
1994-2001

Oil Trader/Retail Analyst, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, Kuwait/Rotterdam.
1992-1994

Assistant Admin. Director, SOFREMI (Demining & Ordinance Disposal company operating in Kuwait)
1989-1992

BBA in Marketing and International Business, Schiller International University, Paris, France.

What is WWW.MACHO?

2007-08-19T18:13:00.000+07:00

Design: Rizky Lazuardi

This is about a book discussing the arts of Nindityo Adipurnomo. This Semarang – Central Java – born artist is known as the founder, with his wife Mella Jaarsma, of Cemeti Art House (CAH), Yogyakarta.

The Indonesian art scene note this art space as a leading in showing contemporary art today. It was Cemeti Gallery, changed again to Cemeti Modern Art Gallery, and then became as Cemeti Contemporary Art Gallery. Since 1999 the legendary art space is widely known as CAH. The logo is ‘dot inside a circle’ in purple color.

For their tireless efforts running the art space and introducing Indonesian contemporary art to worldwide, then, they’re honored John D Rockefeller Awards, 2005. This couple are also welknown as excellent artists.

Four female writers – they are Alia Swastika, Farah Wardani, Iola Lenzi, and Amanda K. Rath – contribute their reading on Adipurnomo’s works, especially in his ‘konde’ series. Konde is a traditional Javanese hairpiecing. And the book titled “WWW.MACHO” is named as one of the artist’s exhibitions.

Alia Swastika, now the Artistic Manager of Cemeti Art House, is a writer and begin developing an interest in cross diciplinary curatorial practices with main foci an issues around women, young people and identity. The Executive Director of Indonesian Visual Art Archive (IVAA) Yogyakarta, Farah Wardani, is the other contributor to the book. Wardani is also known as an editor of Visual Arts magazine. Her resume comprises working in the fields of visual communication, design, education, media, art journalism, criticism, curating and management. Iola Lenzi, a Canadian-educated lawyer, is a Singapore-based critic, arts writer and curator. She is the Singapore correspondent for the Asian Art Newspaper, London as well as a contributor to Asian Art News, Hong Kong and Eyeline, Queensland, Australia. And Amanda K. Rath currently completing her desertation on “alternative art” practices, and the discourse of aesthetic and art criticism in Indonesia (1975-2000). She is a writer majoring in modern and contemporary art, art criticism and visual culture from Indonesia and Malaysia for the last ten years.

The book then launched and discussed on Saturday, August 11th 2007, at Gramedia Book Store Semarang, Central Java. Rumah Seni Yaitu organised it. Donny Danardono from Soegijapranata Catholic University and Triyono Lukmantoro from Diponegoro University give their opinions based on the topics of the book. The artist Nindityo Adipurnomo also attended the session.

The “WWW.MACHO” is now available at Rumah Seni Yaitu.***

Amazing Trunks!

2007-08-08T08:01:00.000+07:00

"Gone with the Wind" by Hardiman Radjab

Solo Exhibition "Trunks Full of Stories" by Hardiman Radjab at August 10 to 25, 2007. Curated by Hendro Wiyanto. Opening ceremony at Friday, August 10, at 7 pm. The exhibition will officially opened by Dr Iswidayati, head of Fine Art Department of Faculty of Language and Arts, Semarang State University, Semarang.***

[Excerpt from Curatorial Note]

HARDIMAN Radjab is an artist whom very closed to theater’s life – he is a stage designer for a sum of contemporary plays – and he is also an artist with craft experiences.

In the last decade, the object discourses in our contemporary art-scene come through. This, for instance, as a widening ideas of objecthoods for painters or a playfully games on scale for sculptors. In short, objecthoods in our art-scene celebrate their own sake.

By these situations, Hardiman’s art-works of which use the trunks’ shape and space, enliving them (there is one that could breath), giving its contents and the pluralities of their receptions are interesting because of his seriousness to the ‘medium’ of trunks. To these objecthoods he obviously gives ‘theater’ contexts or substitute the stage into the trunks.

Hardiman is truly convinced to use this object, and feels that these objecthoods widely enough to cover his knowledge, ideas or stories through the simply shape of trunks. The long journey smell, curiousity atmoshphere, staled, changes places, lonelyness and emptiness are appeared from his old trunks.

Hendro Wiyanto
Exhibition Curator

Note:
Translated from Indonesian text by Tubagus P. Svarajati

Roy is Inspiring

2007-07-19T14:15:00.000+07:00

Photography: Roy Voragen

The wall in front of
Rumah Seni Yaitu:

Alas!

The article I wrote about Roy Voragen disappeared from this blog! It's truly because of my stupidity..., I didn't realize and suddenly happened: I deleted it. What a wise guy I am.

Well, I will tell you once more about him. Roy is a philosophy lecturer at Parahyangan University, Bandung. He's invited by the management of Rumah Seni Yaitu as an artist-in-residence for 5 weeks, started from June 25 till July 29. The Yayasan Widya Mitra Semarang fully fasilitates him in the program.

The foundation is institution for encouraging friendship between Indonesian and Dutch. Its services mainly on library and Dutch language courses. Besides it often organises cultural events, for instance classical music concerts, visual art exhibitions, and so on. This institution has a connection to Erasmus Huis Jakarta.

But why Roy? Once I discussed with R.E. Hartanto, an emerging artist lived in Bandung, whether he could give any ideas how to develop RSY's programs. Then we agreed to try a residency program inviting an artist to stay in RSY's guest room for one month. And Roy was chosen to be the first. Roy is Tanto's friend and they made friend when Tanto was in Rijks Akademie, Netherland.

The story goes. Roy is staying in Semarang now. His project is capturing the city's life and its public space. He also observes the citizens whom living there, what they do, and who they are. By inspecting this extremely hot town (for Roy!), it seems that Roy also tries to indentify who he is. A theory once he told me. Interesting?

And Roy does photograph well. He finds the city's insight and he's able to catch the heart of its urban life. He somehow sees that local people cannot do in the same way. It may be explained that he is a foreigner? Perhaps it's true. Susan McCartney (Travel Photography, New York:1999) said that it's wise for photographers to have such foreigners' eyes so they can see anything in new perspectives.

In his staying, Roy also gives philosophy class called "An Art of Living" for students and lecturers of Soegijapranata Catholic University, Semarang. The class takes place in Rumah Seni Yaitu. They're gathering in the back room near the gallery's kitchen. Most of them claimed that Roy's thoughts is inspiring.

This nice guy had cold a few days ago. Local people will say: "Ah, Roy is masuk angin!" Maybe he couldn't stand with the hot weather. So do I even I'm living here for almost my whole life. Say hello whenever you see him in the streets of Semarang these days. "Halo, mister bule!"***

Rembering Indies: Rogier Boon

2007-07-04T10:20:00.000+07:00

Photo: Ferintus Karbon

Last night, Tuesday 3th, there was an opening ceremony of Rogier Boon's exhibition. He was known as a designer for Tong-Tong Magazine and Pasar Malam Besar at Den Haag during his productive years.

Rogier was born in Meeter Cornelis, Batavia (now is Jatinegara, Jakarta) in 1937. Then in his seventeen's birthday he came 'home' to Netherland. Then a chapter of his lilfe began. His father, Tjalie Robinson, took very important influential to his life. Tjalie was a leading journalist at the time. He was very proud being an 'Indo' means 'indies', a mix culture between Ducth and Indonesian.

The exhibition itself shows many graphic art-works of Rogier's. Truely speaking his works are quite interesting showing many local designs which local artists are not concerning anymore.***

Vision and Mission

2007-06-21T08:01:00.000+07:00

Rumah Seni Yaitu:

Founded by Tubagus P. Svarajati on August 19th, 2005. The main objective of Rumah Seni Yaitu (RSY) is to function as a forum to bridge and explore visual art in its cultural linkage.

Focussing on multifaset visualities, never ending exploration and consistent cooperation (local, regional, and international) in regard to the art-world (personals, organisations, independent artists, or artists communities) with egalitairy relationship and in moderate way.

The ideal location in the city center of Semarang enables RSY to play a significant role in generating multidiciplinary art activities and forming a new inclusive art community. Further on, it is expected to be a channel or noveaux art artifact asset.

So far RSY has showed many art activities and signed as an excellent center of contemporary visual art in the city. We believe that gathering the ideas and works of young artists to their audiences is valuable for developing our art-world.

RSY has a stock room which shows art-works by promosing young artists. The management and the artistic team of RSY are supported by some experienced and talented young people.***

The Artist and The Poet

2007-06-19T18:43:00.000+07:00

The Poet Afrizal Malna.

Photo: Ferintus Karbon

IT WAS Sunday afternoon, June 17th 2007, when two remarkable persons came in. They’re Entang Wiharso, one of the greatest Indonesian artists, and the wellknown poet was Afrizal Malna. They’re accompanied by Christine Cocca, the artist’ wife who is an American, Byron Good and Mary-Jo DelVecchio Good.

Byron and Mary-Jo are husband and wife. Both are professors from Department of Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, USA. Byron is a professor of medical anthropology and Mary-Jo is a professor of social medicine. They are in Indonesia doing researches in Aceh funded by the World Bank. They make friend with Wiharso’s family since 2002. And they want to see the artist’s solo exhibition in Rumah Seni Yaitu. For Byron this is the second visit to the exhibition. He came at the opening of the exhibition on May 25th. But for Mary-Jo this is the first time to enjoy it. The visit was especially arranged for her for she was just coming from USA two days ago. She eagered to watch the whole art works. Both couples admire Wiharso’s art works very much especially the artist’s talent and energy to produce many art works.

Byron told me that he was very lucky to attend the opening night. He enjoyed the atmosphere, the artist’ performances collaborated with some art students, and local people surround the art space. He never see in other places where local people and guests can join together to enjoy an art exhibition. Indeed the night was very special attended by many national art lovers such as Dr Oei Hong Djien, Dr Melani Setiawan, Teguh Wibisana, Simon Tan, Chris Dharmawan, and some more.

Mary-Jo thought that the exhibition was amazing. She enjoyed all the wonderful works in the space. Stressing this, in one conversation with me and the artist, she still wondered why such artist can produce many art works, which most of them are excelent ones, and from what thing he gets the energy to create them. “No artists in the world do the same like him,” she claimed.

Yes, many art lovers will say and agree to Mary-Jo. But there are some who do not agree with. An Indonesian leading critic said, in the discussion session accompanying the exhibition, that Wiharso’s works are merely imitating some other artists’ styles. This argument boosted the audiences. How come an artist who gets many admirations from the world art-scene is just a copy-paste one? Some people said that nowadays it is not important to discuss the appearences without searching the meaning of the works themselves. Then, some days after the discussion, another senior art critic and also a lecturer in Indonesian Arts Institute wrote in the leading paper Kompas that the critic mentioned above was only doing things with his own shoes.

Well, it is time for people freely to see anything with their own perspectives. The same thing happened when discussing the art works. So nowadays arts have their multifacets point of views depending on what shape they are to be examined. These are, at least, what the poet Afrizal Malna said in the terrace that night.

You know, the Sunday visit last about at 7pm. Before leaving Semarang to Yogyakarta, the artist and the poet gave their talks to some young local artists and art students. And above all, I want you to know one person who was very kind to join the visit, that is Mr Hendro Wasito. This gentlement is the artist’ friend and also an art lover. He is the guy behind the scene of the “Intoxic” exhibition. And, I believe, he is going to be one important person in the city art-scene in the upcoming time. I thank him for all the help.***

A Short History of Why

2007-06-15T23:40:00.000+07:00

Entang Wiharso's art work.
Photo by Ferintus Karbon.

EVERYBODY, whom at the first time hear the name of the art space I'm handling in, will always ask "Why do you name your art space with Rumah Seni Yaitu?". The second question is "What does it mean?" In Bahasa, "yaitu" is only a particle. It does not have existed meaning if not set with other word(s). Simply in English, "yaitu" similar to "that is". So the "Rumah Seni Yaitu" can be translate into "Art House Is". As a name for a location refers to an art space the name "Rumah Seni Yaitu" has not finished yet in its meaning. It does not have a fully meaning indeed. But that's what I truly want to name the space!

First, I want to interpelate myself to what I thought about "what does an art space truly mean" and to "what I'm going to do with the space I built". In this case I should always think and think and fulfill the space with many usefull activities. Such activities not only should be interested, but also have theirs intrinsic values. At least, activities executed in the art house will give benefits to its audience. For these reasons, frankly speaking, the name "Rumah Seni Yaitu" has its honest role: it does not reached its shapes yet! And you could also describe it with your own thougts.

Second, the name is intended to disconstruc the other art houses allready existed in Indonesia. Why do art houses should be constructed. What they do to make contributions to the art-world so far. What are theirs roles in the future. What excitements can they give to the owners. And many many questions are blown in my head.

Now Rumah Seni Yaitu is almost two years old, next August. I must ask myself, so far how long it's been walking through? Does it make me happy? Do anybody or institutions give their generous attentions?

Can you follow me?***

Apa kabar?

2007-06-02T17:33:00.000+07:00

Photography: Tubagus P. Svarajati

Hi!

This is a very begining. It's a starting point to introduce Rumah Seni Yaitu to public to be known and easily greeted by you, the art-lovers. And this is also the right time for us to know better each other in this room.

This blog is still under construction. Of course its interface cannot be constructed fastly and has its interesting looking in just a single night. I do hope that you will be patient to share with. Anytime you drop by please leave your comments here. Who knows your words will enlight other people.

Thank you. GBU.***