This afternoon I should be watching the sunset with my co-workers. But no, we had to go to Tirtonirmolo, Kasihan, to visit the opening of the XVI Biennale Jogja state chambers Exhibition.
We arrived around 06.00 p.m, Tuesday (5/10/21). Dusk began to dim the courtyard of the Museum and Clay (MdTL). The chairs were already lined up waiting for the invitees. Some people seemed busy tidying up the gallery and arranging the food.
30 minutes later, the guests started arriving. Most of them wear dark clothes. Among them were also familiar faces, such as Mas Gunawan Maryanto, Mas Bayu Widodo, and my statue lecturer Pak Anusapati.
My co-worker’s face looks tired, but the twinkle in his eyes belayed excitement. Approaching 07.00 p.m, Audrey Samantha, the host, raised her mic.
She gave the opening remarks and greetings, followed by a brief speech by Ami Darajati Utomo as the representative of the ASEAN Foundation.
“I think the theme of the exhibition ‘Hacking Domesticity’ is very much in line with what we expected from Konnect Asean, from the Asean Foundation. Not only can we connect, but we can also reclaim and ensure that everything is more inclusive day by day,” said Ami before closing her speech.
After that, the director of the Yogyakarta Biennale Foundation (YBY) and the curator of the state chambers exhibition, Alia Swastika, stood to start the event.
“This year, with the support of the ASEAN Foundation, we can conduct the Korea Konnect Asean state chambers, which brings together artists from three Southeast Asian countries (Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia) and South Korea.”
“As a curator, I work with a friend from Seoul, who has been acquainted with the context of art in Indonesia for a long time. Therefore, we agreed to review the narratives related to issues of the women’s movement and feminism,” said Alia explaining the outline of Hacking Domesticity’s curatorial discourse.
After her greeting, Alia called the names of the artists present to come forward: Agnes Christina, Etza Meisyara, Fitri DK. Thus, the event was officially opened and visitors were allowed to enter the showroom.
The state chambers exhibition is not only held at one point, there is still a Taiwan booth at the Indie Arthouse. Then the next visitors will go there together.
It was getting dark, and the MdTL’s yard was almost silent.
“Sorry, the art hours that are never on time,” I said to my co-worker who was only recently involved in the art world.
“No problem, we still have a long time, right?!”
I nodded. “Sorry for the sun that sets on MdTL.”
