Art fair in a hybrid space
By Nabila Giovanna W

Art Jakarta Gardens is a hybrid art fair that combines both an indoor and outdoor presentation. This year, the fair returns for its second edition at Hutan Kota by Plataran, Jakarta from 7 to 12 February with 22 galleries participating across two tents. In addition to each gallery’s presentation, the fair will display art installations ‘The Light of Journey’ by FX Harsono and ‘Aquifer’ by Digital Nativ. Public programmes are also available throughout the six-day fair. Visitors can look forward to public guided tours, music workshops and performances presented by Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation with curation by Sofar Sounds Jakarta, performance and experimental sound art by network Wof in response to Hutan Kota’s space and pottery workshops by Kandura.

Georgius A. Papadimitrou, ‘Modernity’, 2019, painted wood and fiberglass, 185 x 185 x 320cm. Image courtesy of Artsphere Gallery. — Georgius A. Papadimitriou, ‘Modernity’, 2019, painted wood and fiberglass, 185 x 185 x 320cm. Image courtesy of Artsphere Gallery.

Entang Wiharso, ‘The Protector and Little Monster’, 2022 - 2023, resin, steel, car paint and thread, 306 x 163cm. Image courtesy of Can’s Gallery.

For its outdoor presentation, 20 sculptures are sprawled across the garden. Jakarta-based Artsphere Gallery will present the sculpture ‘Modernity’ (2019) by Georgius A. Papadimitriou. The statue emphasises the safety cone’s transition from a work tool to an object of sight in contemporary art; the change and the dependency it creates results in a feeling of confinement, as seen in the tree trapped inside the cone. Alongside Artsphere, Can’s Gallery will display ‘The Protector and Little Monster’ (2022-2023) by Entang Wiharso. The sculpture took inspiration from titan arum, a native Indonesian plant which was brought abroad during the colonial era as an object to show off colonial power. Aside from its sheer size, the plant also functions to maintain balance in the environment, and is a symbol that is constantly present in Wiharso’s works.

Similar to last year’s fair, both galleries will be presenting a line-up of artists for their indoor booth presentations. Can’s Gallery will be showing works of Entang Wiharso, Arkiv Vilmansa, Beatrix Hendriani, Oky Rey Montha, Muklay, Naufal Abshar, Ajeng Martia, and Jemana Murti. Meanwhile, Artsphere Gallery will showcase works by Georgius A. Papadimitriou, Meliantha Muliawan, Mutiara Riswari, Rahayu Retnaningrum, Wayan Yusa Dirgantara, Natisa Jones, Ruth Marbun and Petek Sutrisno. “During this fair, we hope to meet and interact with fellow art lovers or collectors who’s enthusiastic about Indonesian art,” expresses Maya Sujatmiko, founder and owner of Artsphere Gallery in anticipation of the fair. “We hope this event can be a meeting point for stakeholders to build a better Indonesian art ecosystem.”

G. Sidharta, ‘Tari Gong Mandau’, 2000, oil on canvas, 135 x 100cm. Image courtesy of Art Agenda.

Jumaldi Alfi, 'Re-reading Landscape: Colour Guide #01', 2020, acrylic on linen, 145x200cm. Image courtesy of RUCI Artspace.

Historical themes are present in works showcased by Art Agenda, which has spaces in Jakarta and Singapore. For Art Agenda’s sophomore presentation at Art Jakarta Gardens, it will present ‘Out of Sight’, a group presentation of works by Salim, Sudjana Kerton and G. Sidharta, three modernist painters whose names are often overlooked in mainstream Indonesian art discourse. A highlight work is ‘Tari Gong Mandau’ (2000) by Sidharta, in which a Dayak lady is seen performing Tari Gong, a dance to celebrate harvest season or to welcome guests into the land. It is painted in the style of the artist’s ‘blue period’, a revival to the style of realism.

RUCI Artspace, which is based in Jakarta, presents contemporary works by Jumaldi Alfi, Radhinal Indra, Gilang Fradika, Hendra Hehe, Evi Pangestu, Meliantha Muliawan, Cinanti Johansjah (Keni), Naomi Samara, Sekar Puti Sidhiawati, Harishazka Fauzan, Made Valasara and Hedi Sutardja. Alfi’s 'Re-reading Landscape: Colour Guide #01' (2020) repaints KITLV’s archival postcards into a mooi indie-style painting to illustrate the contemporary art scene as a world that looks beautiful but from a distance, seems out of reach. RUCI has participated in Art Jakarta before but this is their first participation inArt Jakarta Gardens. “The relationship that RUCI and Art Jakarta team built over the years is more than just a B2B relationship. We know for sure that this year's Art Jakarta Gardens will be fun and exciting,” says Bima Rio Pasaribu, Director, RUCI Artspace.

Tuyuloveme, 'Sweet Escape #1', 2023, spray paint, acrylic, canvas, steel, d. 85cm × 11cm. image courtesy of D Gallerie. — Tuyuloveme, 'Sweet Escape #1', 2023, spray paint, acrylic, canvas, steel, d. 85cm × 11cm. Image courtesy of D Gallerie.

In contrast, D Gallerie from Jakarta will be displaying colourful pop-influenced art through the works of Tuyuloveme, Mochtar Sarman, Hendra HeHe, Erwin Windu Pranata, Soni Irawan, and Rangga Aputra. Tuyuloveme is a an artist whose style is influenced by street art, graffiti and urban landscape as seen in 'Sweet Escape #1' (2023). To him, the street is not only a location, but also a genre and aesthetic inspiration. Esti Nurjadin, Founder, D Gallerie is looking forward to meeting new collectors. She says,, “I hope Art Jakarta Gardens can bring a younger group of collectors into the Indonesian art scene”.

Art Jakarta Gardens offers a fresh concept to the Indonesian art scene by providing galleries, visitors and collectors a unique space to look at and engage with art both indoors and outdoors, and is a welcome complement to Art Jakarta, which takes place later in August.

Art & Market is proud to be a media partner of Art Jakarta Gardens.

Art Jakarta Gardens 2023 will be held at Hutan Kota by Plataran from 7 to 12 February, from 1pm to 9pm. The VIP preview and vernissage will take place on 7 February. The fair is open for public viewing from 8 to 12 February. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

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