In honor of Indonesia's National Heroes Day, the Ginting Institute, founded by Daniel Ginting, in collaboration with Galeri Zen 1 Jakarta, is hosting an art exhibition entitled "Indonesia Tanah Airku, Tanah Tumpah Darahku (Indonesia, My Homeland, the Land of My Birth)".
The event, which will be officially opened by the Minister of Public Housing and Settlement of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Maruarar Sirait, on Sunday, November 10, 2024, will feature works by 12 renowned artists. The exhibition will be open to the public from November 11 to November 25, 2024 at Galeri Zen 1, Central Jakarta.
The exhibition takes its title from S. Sudjojono's 1964 sketch "Indonesia Tanah Airku, Tanah Tumpah Darahku," which is believed to have inspired his monumental painting "Mengatur Siasat (Setting Strategies)," also created in the same year. Now on display at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, Mengatur Siasat is considered one of Indonesia's most valuable assets in the art world.
Curated by Rizki Zaelani, the exhibition features works by ten prominent Indonesian artists, including Andang Iskandar, Arafura, Chusin Setiadikara, Ida Bagus Purwa, Nuraeni Hendra Gunawan, Oco Santoso, Ronald Apriyan, S. Dwi Stya Acong, Teja Astawa, Toni Antonius, Awang Behartawan, and Ugo Untoro.
The artists were given the freedom to interpret Sudjojono's sketch and portray the meaning of heroism and patriotism in a modern context, highlighting the essence of struggle in the face of global challenges.
Modern Perspectives on Heroism
One of the main attractions of this exhibition is the artists' diverse interpretations of Sudjojono's work. Using a variety of art media, including painting, photography, and video installation, the artists present a range of perspectives on heroism. From social struggles to environmental conservation efforts, the exhibition highlights the relevance of heroism in contemporary issues.
In addition to paintings, the exhibition includes experimental photographic works printed on aluminum. These works offer contemporary interpretations of the concept of heroism, including addressing global environmental issues such as waste management that have significant geopolitical implications.
The visitor's aesthetic experience is further enriched by an interactive video installation entitled "45 Interpretasi (45 Interpretations)" by Arafura Media Design, which provides an immersive visual experience.
The installation is designed to respond to the position of the viewer, so that each viewpoint presents a different visual display. This allows visitors to have a personal and unique experience in interpreting the meaning of Sudjojono's sketch.
