The clouds seemed reluctant to appear again when the front yard of the Jogja National Museum (JNM) began to fill with invitees. Most of the seats were filled by VIP guests who supported the Biennale Jogja XVI exhibition, including the Geothe Institute, Kemenparekraf, Kemendikbud, Mowilex, and Epson Indonesia.
The event was officially opened on Wednesday (6/10) afternoon at around 04.00 p.m by Alia Swastika as the director of the Yogyakarta Biennale Foundation, Gintani Swastika as the director of the Biennale Jogja Equator XVI, and representatives from Kundha Kakulturn and Fatherrekraf. The opening was symbolized by removing the cloth from the mural in front of the facade of the main exhibition building.
Furthermore, to reduce the density of visitors, invitees are welcome to enter the gallery in turns. On their first step inside, visitors were greeted by a stomping sound from the “Koreri Projection” by Udeido Collective, right on the left side of the entrance.
Aside from Udeido on the ground floor, Mella Jaarsma also performed “Pertama Ada Hitam” on the second floor. The Land Study Agency was busy with the Open Customer Service Bank on the third floor. There were quite a few visitors who fluttered about with their cell phone cameras on, trying to capture the moment and atmosphere of each work of art.
After VIP guests, other invitees were able to enter the exhibition area after 06.00 p.m. Many of them were students, academics, or artists. With scrutinizing gazes and curious expressions, visitors came in and out from room to room.
“Interesting. Especially about Damar Kurung. It’s rarely brought up and discussed in big art performances,” said Patrick Manurung, one of the visitors who was currently observing the archives of the Gresik-based Damar Kurung artist, Sriwati Masmundari.
Unlike Patrick, several other visitors chose to linger in front of other artworks.
“When I entered, I was already impressed by Udeido’s work. The smell of the earth and sweat made the atmosphere lively,” said Raafi Artha, a student of Fine Arts, ISI Yogyakarta.
Raafi, who had just arrived around 04.00 p.m, did not have time to see the direction of Udeido’s work. However, the traces and scents left behind indicate that something has happened in the showroom. To him, that is what is impressive.
“In general, I understand the Eastern context with all its dynamics now,” explained Muhammad Farhan, Art Management Student, ISI Yogya before turning his attention back to one of the artworks on the second floor.
As the final series of the Opening of the Jogja XVI Equator #6 Biennale Exhibition, at 19.00 WIB there was still a Night Performance Ceremony featuring Mother Bank Band, Nova Ruth, and Asep Nayak.
