Play in Progress: Drawings and Doodles to Rediscover Passions at Work
Jakarta. Feeling bored and uninspired happens in almost any job, it should be declared as a workplace hazard.
"When that happens, we should forget all about work and just play," visual artist Rizqi Ranadireksa, better known as Abenk Alter, said during a press conference for his new exhibition in Jakarta on Friday (14/07).
According to Abenk, playing is the only way for us to rediscover our passion for work.
Abenk's playful doodles and sketches can be seen in "Play in Progress" (PiP), a newly opened art exhibition in Plaza Indonesia shopping mall, Central Jakarta.
"Young people are at the center of Indonesia's creative industry. We should be proud more of them are now pursuing their artistic passions and make beautiful works of art," Zamri Mamat, Plaza Indonesia's marketing and communications general manager, said. "Plaza Indonesia is committed to give [Indonesian young artists] a platform to showcase their work to the public."
Abenk, who used to sing for R&B band Soulvibe, has been doodling and painting for over a year now.
"I felt a strong calling to paint and doodle last year," he said. "And I've been doing it ever since."
Abenk doodled the walls, floors and ceilings in the 5 by 6-meter room used for the exhibition with ultraviolet (UV) markers and paint.
"I call [the doodles] flash lines," the artist said. "When I created them, that was all play. I let my hand draw what it wanted."
The sinuous elliptical lines of the doodles, in bright neon colors, glow and seem to vibrate under the UV lights in the exhibition room.
Abenk also invited three of his friends, also visual artists, Rony Rahadian (a.k.a Rebellionik), Ican Agoesdjam and Muchlis Fachri (a.k.a Muklay), to collaborate with him in this exhibition.
Rebellionik installs a pillar in the room made of thin transparent strings of methyl methacrylate. Within the pillar are interconnected prisms that glisten beautifully under the UV lights.
The artwork, titled "Connecting Unconnected No. 2," is semi-autobiographical.
"I have to live far away from my family in Bandung because of my work, but in our hearts, my family and I remain connected," Rebellionik said. "In fact, it's that connection that encourages me to work and create."
Video artist Ican Agoesdjam presents a looping video of pulsating, vibrant colors and lines, called "Untitled."
"The video is part of my soon-to-be-released work," Ican said. "So, it's a real play in progress for me."
Muklay presents a series of acrylic-on-canvas paintings, titled "Temporary Prayer," for the exhibition. The paintings, which depict oversized and distorted body parts in bold colors, look a little unnerving in the semi-dark corner of the exhibition.
"These paintings depict azab (punishment in hell)," Muklay said. "When I was a child, I often went out to play with my friends and forgot to pray. My mom always warned me that I would receive azabs for my negligence."
"But now as an adult, whenever I feel stuck in my work, I pray," Muklay said. "And I find out that prayers soothe my mind and help me to work better."
The exhibition is free of charge and open for public until July 31.
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