Art And Culture

Home-Design Videos Invade YouTube

2012-05-31T11:03:00.000-07:00

In addition to silly clips of family pets, cult-film trailers and practically every music video ever made, YouTube users can now watch a home design show called “Your Place Is a Deal Breaker.” In the first episode, a woman moves into her boyfriend’s apartment, which has a Barack Obama poster in the bedroom, and enlists the help of a designer to make the space reflect both their styles. “Obama

Indonesian Designer to the Stars Offers a Peek Into His ‘Secret Garden

2012-05-31T11:00:00.000-07:00

Singer Syahrini, the former duet partner of Anang Hermansyah, stood before her audience at a fashion show in Jakarta, looking dainty in a pink cocktail dress with lace, ribbon and a long train of soft tulle. “She’s my beautiful princess; she’s my muse,” said Indonesian fashion designer Hengki Kawilarang, who designed the dress and was about to hold his solo show as part of Jakarta Fashion and

Old Cantonese opera players strive to keep tradition alive

2012-05-31T10:56:00.000-07:00

Salim Tan is a 68-year-old Cantonese opera player who has performed for more than 50 years to preserve Chinese cultural heritage. He is aging, but that is no deterrent to keeping his passion for opera performances alive. After performing the classic Shi Jin Kwi war epic over the weekend, Salim told The Jakarta Post that he and other players from the Suaka Insan Foundation, social organization

Raden Saleh’s masterpieces on display at National Gallery

2012-05-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

Over 40 paintings and drawings by Raden Saleh, the colorful artist often referred to as the “father of Indonesian modernity” will be displayed in the National Gallery, Jakarta, starting this Sunday amid allegations of widespread forgery of the works of several Indonesian masters. According to the exhibition’s statement, the exhibition is the first ever monographic display of Raden Saleh’s work

Adventures in the domestic sphere

2012-05-31T10:48:00.000-07:00

The domestic realm can be both a labyrinth and treasure chest, although it is at times seen as second best to the outside, which is seen as foreign, exciting and full of lure. Take for example the emotions and associations that the words “home” or “family” conjure. Even a single object such as an old radio set or a teacup can open the door to hours of nostalgic discussion. A group of artists

The gossamer curtain

2011-09-12T11:44:00.001-07:00

The idea of death is promptly buried out of sight in the west, a state of forever gone.In the east, death is another story entirely. In Bali, it is cremation season, a time to raise loved ones perhaps long dead or recently passed from mossy beds; to wake sleepy spirits in preparation for their last farewells and the coming journey home to the gods. During the second and third month of the

In preparation for ‘ngaben’

2011-09-12T11:31:00.001-07:00

Every day, men, women and children head to the community bale banjar to create the specified offerings — to build the great bamboo platforms that will carry the sarcophagi or make endless baskets to carry the flowers, fruits and rice of offerings. Gusti Mangku Batur of Tengkulak Kaja says the women of the village make thousands of offerings during the 17 days leading up to a cremation. “We

‘Motion/Sensation’: An exhibition of kinetic art

2011-09-12T11:29:00.001-07:00

The Kinetic Art Exhibition titled “Motion/Sensation” organized by Edwin’s Gallery at the Jakarta Art District in Grand Indonesia reveals that Indonesian artists have been making kinetic art long before the term became an understanding in art creation.Heri Dono, for instance, is known for the low-tech devices that he uses to attract viewers to his art installations. By the early 1980s when

Art Jog 2011 making its mark

2011-09-12T11:22:00.001-07:00

Featuring 251 paintings, sculptures, installations and videos from 165 artists, the exhibits were selected from 3,500 submissions by 1,770 hopefuls. Due to the limited space, not all the works could be displayed, but a complete selection is available in the catalogue. A greater emphasis this year was placed on three dimensional works, with artistic director Bambang Toko Witjaksono

A portrait of Javanese values

2011-09-12T11:20:00.001-07:00

Love, harmony and serenity are among the values taught for people to live by. Based on some Javanese values, the “Java Dwipantara” art exhibition features some realism paintings that are as striking as their inspirations. The Javanese word sumeleh refers to a pure and peaceful state of mind without greed or any need to be restless. Achieving this would be valued as a perfect life. Perhaps

Uniform, The marking or dissolving of identity?

2011-09-12T11:17:00.000-07:00

In any period of time, there have been people who were curious and critical, and others who just went with the flow and took things for granted. Jim Allen Abel, Jimbo for short, who was born in Luwu, the cradle of the Bugis creation, epos, Sureq Galigo, initially did not belong to either group of people. But as he grew up, he began to question the role of a teacher in shaping the mind

Reconsidering Earth

2011-09-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/07/22/earth-reconsidering.htmlThe exhibition of 35 artists from various countries at North Art Space in Ancol, Jakarta, comes amidst celebrations of the city’s 484th anniversary, and is a timely reminder of the environmental mishaps plaguing the city. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it is easy to forget that we all live on a planet called

Visual art inspired by words

2011-09-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

This concept is explored by the daily newspaper Kompas in its Sunday edition, in which it regularly publishes a short story accompanied by an illustration. Thus, the weekly edition presented a short story (cerpen) plus an illustration. Many of those beautiful illustrations are displayed in an exhibition at Bentara Budaya in Jakarta. Being the 8th annual exhibition of these works, it

New Ruling Accords Balinese Women Rights to Inheritance

2010-12-15T08:18:00.000-08:00

Denpasar. The century-old patriarchal traditions that govern Balinese family life were on Wednesday amended to finally grant women the right to inherit assets from their parents. The High Council of Customary Villages (MUDP), the highest authority on Balinese traditional regulations, issued the ruling. “This is a significant development in the 110 years

‘Ethnicity Now’: much wishful thinking

2010-12-15T08:13:00.000-08:00

Expectations were set high for the exhibition “Ethnicity Now”, currently on show at the National Gallery — particularly because of the tagline below the title linking Ethnicity to Indonesian Contemporary Art. But sadly, the show turned out to be a disappointment. It seems the organizers and the show’s curator were carried away by an increasingly strong vision in the art world

Islamic Fashion Goes Stylish in Indonesia

2010-11-27T22:27:00.000-08:00

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Long known as feminine and demure, Indonesia’s traditional kebaya is headed for a makeover at the hands of innovative designers. Growing demand for stylish yet still modest fashions in the world’s most populous Islamic nation is helping power efforts to bring Islamic fashion into the modern age, a movement symbolised by changes to the iconic kebaya, a blouse-dress

Indonesia's Cultural Heritage Needs Preservation

2010-11-27T22:17:00.000-08:00

Defiant: Balinese dancers perform during a cultural parade at the New Year's Eve celebration in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, today - despite threats of a terror attackUNESCO has pointed out that many forms of intangible cultural heritage are in danger of extinction. Therefore, governments, non-governmental and local organizations are encouraged to appraise, protect and utilize their national

A Delicious Blend of Cultures at Indonesia Restaurant Meradelima

2010-11-27T22:07:00.000-08:00

Mixing different cultures is always exciting. The assimilation that occurs when people of different ethnic backgrounds meet and live together usually gives birth to an interesting blend of cultures. The descendants of 15th and 16th century Chinese immigrants to Malacca and Java, referred to as Peranakans, embody such a mix of two different traditions. (JG Photo/Safir Makki) Meradelima, a

In the Fashion Icons of Old, Inspiration for Today’s Women

2010-11-27T22:03:00.000-08:00

(JG Photos/Afriadi Hikmal) It might seem like a paradox. Even though overall today’s Indonesian women are better-educated and more career-oriented, many continue to harbor feelings of fear and insecurity. “There are still many women who want to look like a certain celebrity or a supermodel,” Indonesian fashion designer Sebastian Gunawan said before his fashion show at Hotel Mulia, in Senayan,

Dance of Life at ‘Con Festivita’ Exhibition in Indonesia

2010-11-27T21:57:00.000-08:00

Bandung-based artist Monika Ary Kartika is in the mood to celebrate. After one false start, her new exhibition “Con Festivita” has opened at the Vivi Yip Art Room 2 in South Jakarta, showcasing a collection of her exuberant, festival-themed paintings. The exhibition almost didn’t happened at all. It took a lot of dancing around the subject — quite literally — before Monika arrived at just the

ater Garasi: Embracing the in-between

2010-11-27T21:51:00.000-08:00

The sight of a big-eared red Teletubby with a Mohawk pushing dangdut singing women on a yellow makeshift boat into a crowd of amused art lovers is bound to create a surreal and absurd image.So do women performing the traditional tari topeng (mask dance) using plastic masks of robot action heroes to the otherworldly sounds of blipping techno music. But, these vignettes, part of experimental

'Ketupat' more than just a tradition

2010-11-27T21:46:00.000-08:00

(JP/Suherdjoko) Each day, hundreds of people climb Mount Muria, not simply to enjoy the scenery and its natural beauty, but to visit the grave of Sunan Muria, located on its slope.Sunan Muria was one of the Wali Sanga, the nine propagators of Islam in Java, who spread the religion in the 15th century.At the grave, which is located around 18 kilometers north of the Central Javan town of Kudus

‘Yadnya kasada’ ritual: A bumper harvest for some, dinner for others

2010-11-27T21:41:00.000-08:00

While the Tengger Hindu community in East Java look forward to celebrating their ancestors each year with the ritual of Yadnya Kasada, other less fortunate people who can barely make ends meet await the event and its accompanying blessed offerings with impatience. During the ritual, members of the Tengger Hindu community bring sacred offerings such as agricultural produce and cattle in a cart

Matah Ati: serving the prince’s heart

2010-11-24T23:35:00.000-08:00

“In the light of the full moon, our bodies will join as one in celebration of our sacred love tonight … and this very moment, may we conceive the life, who will one day defend justice for our people,” Raden Mas Said sang with passion in Javanese to his lovely bride, Rubiyah, also known as Matah Ati, on their first night.She responded with equal devotion: “My husband, tonight I am your wife, take

Central Sulawesi’s cultural festivals highlight peace

2010-11-24T23:25:00.000-08:00

Before I left Indonesia to finish my degree abroad 13 years ago, I met an artist from Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi, during the Nur Gora Rupa art festival in Surakarta, Central Java. He invited me to his hometown.I didn’t go simply because the place existed beyond my imagination. More than a decade ago, Sulawesi was not on the map of the Indonesian contemporary art scene.Today, the