Jakarta Biennale 2021 Shows Artwork In Public Space

JAKARTA - The 2021 Jakarta Biennale will display a number of works of art from national and international artists in public spaces, one of which is the Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) courtyard on Jalan Cikini Raya, Central Jakarta.

Program Director for the 2021 Jakarta Biennale, Farah Wardhani, said that the two works of art displayed in the TIM courtyard were a mural by artist Rania Ho from Beijing and an iron structure installation by artist Yori Antar from Jakarta.

"The works that we display in public spaces aim to make art can be enjoyed in a free space, not just confined in one place," said Farah, quoted by Antara, Sunday, December 19.

The Jakarta Biennale 2021 exhibition carries the theme ESOK which discusses humanity and touches on various aspects of life, starting from women, the environment and its sustainability, as well as cities.

Rania Ho's artwork is a mural painted on the outside of a sports field measuring 20x10 meters. The mural was inspired by the Cikunir Toll Road, but the pattern and color combination of the mural can be used as meditation.

Meanwhile, Yori Antar made an iron structure installation from red hard material, entitled "Jakarta Red Zone".

"We call the Red Zone a critique of Jakarta's condition. The red zone is not only traffic jams, floods and demonstrations, but also means Jakarta needs more works of art and culture in the form of 'public art'," said Yori.

Yori explained that Jakarta needed works of art to be displayed in public spaces, not only enjoyed by a handful of people, either in offices, hotels, museums and other private spaces.

More than that, Yori thinks that art must interact with the city so that people are more involved in it.

The 2021 Jakarta Biennale will be held again after four years of delay. This art event has been held in Indonesia since 1974.

In addition to the courtyard of Taman Ismail Marzuki, the artworks of 38 Indonesian and international artists are displayed in other public spaces, such as the National Museum, the National Awakening Museum, and Menteng Park.

The 2021 Jakarta Binnale with the theme TOMORROW is open from November 21, 2021 to January 21, 2022.