One by one, students from the Independent Campus Program of the Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) Yogyakarta, entered the exhibition building. Their enthusiasm was very visible when the exhibition guide explained the artworks at the Jogja National Museum in the Biennale Jogja XVI Equator #6 2021. Several questions were asked. Whether it’s just about the materials used for the work or about the concept.
“Is it about sexual violence?” asked a student when he saw one of the installations from Udeido Collective. He looked dumbfounded when he saw the art in the form of bullet-shaped genitalia that penetrated women’s underwear.
“Yes, it is. We (non-Papuans) don’t really know what the real situation is like in Papua. They want to show (us) the violence that occurs against women there,” answered one of the exhibition guides.
The students came from a variety of diverse backgrounds. It can even be said that they are very layman in contemporary art. Most of the students participating in this program are from outside of Java. It is hoped that after this visit program, their insight into art, especially arts in Jogja, can broaden.
A man in yellow stood out among the students. He has directed students several times to keep up with the flow of visits to each art booth. He is Martino Dwi Nugroho, a supervising lecturer from the Nusantara Art course who accompanied students from the ISI independent campus program. Together with him was Rimaya, an Interior Design student as a liaison officer (LO).
“When it comes to fine arts, I can say they are laymen. Because in the regions, what has been introduced (to them) and appeared (in events) are performance arts,” explained Martino on the sidelines of his visit at the Biennale Jogja on Tuesday (09/11) afternoon.
Being one of the barometers of fine art in Indonesia is the main reason behind choosing to visit Biennale Jogja. Artwork that is not only centered on one object provides a new learning experience for students who attend this program.
“I see that this is the first time they were treated to abstract art. And this is also a new experience for them,” continued Martino.
According to Martino, he understands the ignorance of the students about the art forms they encountered this time. Therefore, he advised his students to read the artworks’ captions and to observe the concept of art used.
Fine art’s popularity is decreasing in rural areas. Hopefully, after returning to their respective hometowns, the students can bring the artistic energy they learned here and develop it according to the culture of each region.
One of them is Muhammad Zaenal, a student from Bugis Makassar Regional Literature, Hasanuddin University Makassar. Previously, Zaenal experience was only participating in a dance studio. The experience of visiting the Biennale Jogja was also his first contact with non-performing art.
“The first impression when I walked in was (that it’s) amazing. The works related to Papua and the East impressed me very much. Because they show what the real condition in Papua is like,” said Zaenal.
