Bekraf to Announce Indonesia Pavilion's Winner for Venice Art Biennale 2019

A four-times larger booth setup will display up to 400 art creatures in one installation.

JAKARTA,Indonesia,Oct. 1,2018 --The Indonesian Agency for Creative Economy (Bekraf)and Yayasan Design+Art Indonesia (YDAI)are pleased to announce in collaborationthe final Indonesian artist to participate at the Venice Art Biennale 2019,May 11- Nov 24,2019. After having undergone a strict curatorial process,the chosen art project to be showcased at the world's most prestigious biennale is an interactive art installation entitled "Akal Tak Sekali Datang,Runding Tak Sekali Tiba."It is a unique collaboration with some of the country's best curators and artists,that involve curator Asmudjo Jono Irianto,co-curator Yacobus Ari Respati,and artists Handiwirman Saputra and Syagini Ratna Wulan.

The artists,curators,BEKRAF and YDAI's representatives had a group photo session after press-conference on September 28 2018 at Grand Kemang Hotel

"The strengths of this proposal rest on self-reflection to develop critical understanding of today's contemporary art in the world and to build public perception by setting their artworks vigorously with political and socio-economic trends at the forefront," said Chief Judge,renowned sculptor,Dolorosa Sinaga.

The winning team will showcase their artworks under a booth area of 340 m² at the Arsenale,Venice,namely Indonesia Pavilion. This year,it exceeds the area,four times larger than the previous year of 70m². "At the biennale,we are planning to exhibit 400 interactive lockers,each interprets Indonesian heritage and cultural stories. We allow all attendees to experience the story,as if they are in amusement rides. This is the way we depict multiple art scenes,that have been playing the political and socio-economic for years," said Asmudjo Jono Irianto.

A set of focus areas that will be given preference in theselection process also comprises of innovation in all its contemporary art forms,well-executed art visual,collaborative teamwork,the feasibility of establishing an international contemporary artwork,as well as artistic abilities to realize a work on the basis of their proposal.

Jim Supangkat,a senior curator as one of the judges,stated,"It is not merely one artist exhibiting his single artwork. Thus,unlike prior years,each finalist will present as a team to widely elaborate the whole frame and interpretation of Indonesian contemporary art. We aim to promote Indonesia thoroughly,as an emerging potential of this ever-growing contemporary art era." Other judges include curator Nirwan Dewanto; and academics,I Bambang Sugiharto and St. Sunardi.

Indonesia Pavilion's selection process for Venice Art Biennale 2019 was started on February 2018. After a conduct of forum group discussion (FGD),Bekraf and YDAI proposed 60 Indonesian curators and artists to be shortlisted into 23 candidates. "We invite them to build a team and present their exceptional art project proposal. Of all these 23 candidates,we chose two finalists,one of which will participate at the most internationally acclaimed art exhibition in the near future," added Diana Nazir,Founder and Director of Artura,a holding of Yayasan Design+Art Indonesia.

In addition to "Akal Tak Sekali Datang,Runding Tak Sekali Tiba," these five judges also selected an art installation proposal "Synthetic Estate," a tech-driven interactive art initiated by art collective TROMARAMA,artists Riar Rizaldi and Natasha Gabriella Tontey,and curator Bob Edrian Triadi.

Venice Art Biennale (VAB) is the world's oldest and most prestigious exhibition,that for over a century has been playing a prominent role in international art and cultural scene. Started in 2017,Bekraf and YDAIhave shown tremendous support to bring Indonesian art to the world's most prestigious biennale for two consecutive years.

For more information,visit https://www.labiennale.org/en/art/2019/information.

About Bekraf

The Indonesian Agency for Creative Economy (Bekraf) is a non-ministerial government institution responsible for the creative economy. Triawan Munaf is currently the Chairman of Bekraf. Bekraf's main duty is to assist the President of the Republic of Indonesia in formulating,establishing,coordinating,and synchronizing creative economic policies in the fields of application and game developers,architecture,interior design,visual communication design,product design,fashion,animation and video films,photography,craft,culinary,music,publishing,advertising,performing arts,fine arts,and television and radio.

About YDAI

Yayasan Design + Art Indonesia (YDAI) is a foundation initiated by various disciplines and experiences. The vision of the foundation is a growing and strong creative industry in Indonesia,focusing on the quality of human resources and the abundance of Indonesian art and culture.

Media Contact

Mariaman Purba

Head Bureau of Legal and Public Communication

Indonesian Agency for Creative Economy (Bekraf)

+62-813-17506456

mariaman.purba@bekraf.go.id

Photo - /20180928/2251684-1